Nuclear Engineers

SOC code 17-2161 · O*NET-SOC 17-2161.00 · Considerable preparation needed · Science and engineering

Nuclear Engineers pay

U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number

Median pay

$133,970

a year

Hourly

$64.41

per hour

10th$92,960Median$133,97090th$196,290

The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.

Average pay

$140,420

$67.51 per hour

Middle 50%

$108,690 – $163,630

25th to 75th percentile

Full spread

$92,960 – $196,290

10th to 90th percentile

People employed

15,280

nationwide

National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.

10th percentile: $92,960; $44.69/hr
25th percentile: $108,690; $52.26/hr
Median percentile: $133,970; $64.41/hr
75th percentile: $163,630; $78.67/hr
90th percentile: $196,290; $94.37/hr

Job outlook · federal projection 2024–34

-1%

Little or no change expected

15,400

jobs in 2024

15,300

projected for 2034

About 100 fewer jobs

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment projections, 2024–34. Projections describe the broader occupation group and are estimates, not guarantees.

What does a nuclear engineer do?

Conduct research on nuclear engineering projects or apply principles and theory of nuclear science to problems concerned with release, control, and use of nuclear energy and nuclear waste disposal.

The tasks that matter most day to day

Design or develop nuclear equipment, such as reactor cores, radiation shielding, or associated instrumentation or control mechanisms.
Monitor nuclear facility operations to identify any design, construction, or operation practices that violate safety regulations and laws or could jeopardize safe operations.
Initiate corrective actions or order plant shutdowns in emergency situations.
Examine accidents to obtain data for use in design of preventive measures.
Direct operating or maintenance activities of nuclear power plants to ensure efficiency and conformity to safety standards.
Design or oversee construction or operation of nuclear reactors, power plants, or nuclear fuels reprocessing and reclamation systems.
Direct environmental compliance activities associated with nuclear plant operations or maintenance.
Write operational instructions to be used in nuclear plant operation or nuclear fuel or waste handling and disposal.

How to become a nuclear engineer

Most people in this role hold bachelor's degree — 81% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.

Preparation level: zone 4 — Considerable preparation needed

Education: Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Experience: A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
Training: Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

See all zone 4 occupations →

Education reported by people doing this job

Bachelor's Degree81%
Master's Degree19%

Common questions

How much does a nuclear engineer earn?

The national median is $133,970 a year. The full range runs from $92,960 at the 10th percentile to $196,290 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.

Can you become a nuclear engineer without a degree?

Not usually — this occupation sits in preparation zone 4, where the typical entry route is most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not. The education breakdown above shows what people in the role actually reported.

Is nuclear engineer in demand?

Federal projections expect employment to shrink by about 1% between 2024 and 2034 — little or no change expected. Openings also come from people retiring or changing jobs, which the growth figure does not count.

Skills and knowledge you need

Core skills

Science4.1/5
Critical Thinking4.1/5
Reading Comprehension4.0/5
Active Listening4.0/5
Writing4.0/5
Mathematics4.0/5
Monitoring4.0/5
Active Learning3.9/5

Knowledge areas

Engineering and Technology4.6/5
Physics4.5/5
Mathematics4.4/5
English Language4.0/5
Public Safety and Security4.0/5
Chemistry3.9/5
Computers and Electronics3.7/5
Design3.7/5

Transferable strengths: Complex Problem Solving, Judgment and Decision Making.