6 of the Highest Paying Nuclear Engineer Jobs in 2026

The best Nuclear Engineer jobs can pay up to $195,000 per year.

High Paying Nuclear Engineer Jobs

• Nuclear Design Engineer

  Salary range: $172,000 - $195,000

  The majority of Nuclear Design Engineer salaries across the United States currently range between $172,000 (25th percentile) and $195,000 (75th percentile) annually. Most people working in this role make similar salaries regardless of skill level, location and years of experience. Based on recent job postings on ZipRecruiter, the Nuclear Design Engineer job market in the United States is somewhat active, with a few companies hiring.

• Nuclear Criticality Safety Engineer

  Salary range: $146,000 - $161,000

  As a nuclear criticality safety engineer, your responsibilities include conducting research and evaluating methods of transportation, handling, and storage of nuclear fuel to prevent an accident such as a nuclear reaction. You study and review research on nuclear fuel characteristics and calculation documents, as well as conduct an analysis of fuel transfer and storage plans provided by nuclear plants. Other duties include identifying potential hazards and areas in a nuclear plant that may be violating regulations, designing new methods for transport or storage, preparing proposal reports describing your recommendations, and submitting these reports to the government review board.

• Nuclear Process Engineer

  Salary range: $114,000 - $158,500

  The majority of Nuclear Process Engineer salaries across the United States currently range between $114,000 (25th percentile) and $158,500 (75th percentile) annually. This moderate range of salaries suggests pay in this role will be consistent, regardless skill level, location and years of experience, though some advancement is possible. Based on recent job postings on ZipRecruiter, the Nuclear Process Engineer job market in the United States is active, with some companies hiring.

• Radiation Engineer

  Salary range: $90,500 - $156,000

  The duties of a radiation engineer are to conduct experiments that test and evaluate radiation effects in a variety of settings. Their responsibilities include providing theoretical analysis based on a test they perform in an experimental environment. Professionals in this career often focus on the performance of systems, equipment, or networks during and after exposure to radiation. While reporting their findings, a radiation engineer may suggest layouts, parts, and designs that meet requirements for operating under realistic levels of radiation.

• Nuclear Licensing Engineer

  Salary range: $102,000 - $149,000

  As a nuclear licensing engineer, your responsibilities include providing licensing and regulatory support for a nuclear energy plant, ensuring systems and equipment are performing as expected. You work closely with regulatory personnel and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to implement new codes and keep the company within regulatory standards. Other duties include preparing design and licensing documents, safety analysis reports, and completing regulatory analyses, ensuring all technical requirements are met. You complete NRC submittals, keep effective communication with NRC inspectors, and solve emerging compliance issues in a timely manner. You research and communicate technical and legal information about plant design and licensing. Some positions require you to be available to respond to emergencies within 60 minutes.

• Radiation Safety Officer

  Salary range: $53,500 - $85,000

  As a radiation safety officer (RSO), your job is to ensure compliance with all guidelines and regulations about radiation exposure, including effects on both employees and the local environment. Radiation safety officers frequently ensure that exposure to radioactive materials is ALARA—as low as reasonably achievable—and often provide training to other staff members. Radiation safety officers usually work with an assistant of similar training, which helps to ensure that the work gets done even if you are temporarily unavailable. Fulfilling the responsibilities and duties of a radiation safety officer requires communication skills and the ability to strictly enforce all procedures working with or near radioactive materials.