Entry-level Nuclear Engineering positions require higher education credentials, starting with a bachelor’s degree in nuclear engineering or another relevant engineering specialty. Some institutions offer adjacent internship or co-op opportunities as part of their nuclear engineering degrees, which could be a benefit in your job search. While most employers offer on-site training, they prefer individuals with practical skills. You might also consider an accelerated five-year program that combines the bachelor's with the master’s degree. Math, natural science, and engineering principles are essential in your education, though some coding expertise is a plus. As a Nuclear Engineer, you’ll likely need to pass a security clearance and a drug test, especially if working within a military or other governmental agency. To advance in the industry and obtain supervisory positions, consider taking the Fundamentals of Engineering exam and seeking professional licensure as a professional engineer (PE).

If you are interested in a job related to Nuclear Engineer, here are some popular related job searches with the most open positions on ZipRecruiter.

Top Types Of Nuclear Engineer Jobs

List of the top 10 highest paying Nuclear Engineer positions in 2026, with salary ranges, according to ZipRecruiter.

Neutronics
Salary range: $146,000 - $161,000
Neutronics is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Neutronics jobs pay between $146,000 (25th percentile) and $161,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Neutronics job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.
Nuclear Engineering Internship Remote
Salary range: $33,500 - $43,500
Nuclear Engineering Internship Remote is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Nuclear Engineering Internship Remote jobs pay between $33,500 (25th percentile) and $43,500 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Nuclear Engineering Internship Remote job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.
Reactor Physics
Salary range: $26,000 - $53,000
Reactor Physics is a typical job search query Most salaries for Reactor Physics jobs pay between $26,000 (25th percentile) and $53,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Reactor Physics job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.
Navy Nuclear Engineering
Salary range: $98,500 - $118,000
Navy Nuclear Engineering is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Navy Nuclear Engineering jobs pay between $98,500 (25th percentile) and $118,000 (75th percentile) annually. Take a look at the variety of open positions nationwide for Navy Nuclear Engineering job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter.
Mcnp
Salary range: $111,500 - $167,000
Mcnp is a typical job search query Most salaries for Mcnp jobs pay between $111,500 (25th percentile) and $167,000 (75th percentile) annually. You’ll find many open positions nationwide for Mcnp job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter.
Remote Nuclear Decommissioning
Salary range: $81,500 - $130,000
Remote Nuclear Decommissioning is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Remote Nuclear Decommissioning jobs pay between $81,500 (25th percentile) and $130,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Remote Nuclear Decommissioning job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.
From Home Nuclear Engineer
Salary range: $98,500 - $118,000
From Home Nuclear Engineer is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for From Home Nuclear Engineer jobs pay between $98,500 (25th percentile) and $118,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for From Home Nuclear Engineer job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.
Duke Energy Nuclear Security
Salary range: $65,500 - $100,000
Duke Energy Nuclear Security is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Duke Energy Nuclear Security jobs pay between $65,500 (25th percentile) and $100,000 (75th percentile) annually. You’ll find many open positions nationwide for Duke Energy Nuclear Security job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter.
Senior Component Engineer
Salary range: $104,500 - $143,500
Senior Component Engineer is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Senior Component Engineer jobs pay between $104,500 (25th percentile) and $143,500 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Senior Component Engineer job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.
Koeberg Nuclear Power Station
Salary range: $81,500 - $130,000
Koeberg Nuclear Power Station is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Koeberg Nuclear Power Station jobs pay between $81,500 (25th percentile) and $130,000 (75th percentile) annually. Take a look at the variety of open positions nationwide for Koeberg Nuclear Power Station job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter.

All Jobs Nuclear Engineer Jobs 10 of the Most Popular Types of Nuclear Engineer Jobs in 2026