Nuclear engineers
Salary, job outlook, AI risk & career information
Median Salary
$127,520
~$61/hr · ~$10,627/mo
US Jobs
15K
Decline
AI & Automation Risk
7/10
High Risk
AI & Automation Risk
High Risk 7/10
Nuclear engineering is a high-level knowledge profession where core tasks—such as reactor design, dose calculations, and safety simulations—are performed using digital tools and complex mathematical modeling. While the high-stakes regulatory environment and the need for physical inspections at power plants provide a buffer, AI is rapidly advancing in its ability to optimize designs, analyze sensor data for predictive maintenance, and automate technical documentation.
Salary by City — What You Actually Take Home
Real purchasing power = salary adjusted for cost of living. Higher = more money in your pocket.
| City | Local Salary | Cost of Living | Real Purchasing Power |
|---|---|---|---|
| Knoxville, TNBEST VALUE | $174,380 | Below avg (92.2) | $189,063 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $189,770 | Above avg (109.5) | $173,238 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $150,950 | Average (98.9) | $152,652 |
| Albuquerque, NM | $142,640 | Below avg (93.6) | $152,349 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $138,050 | Below avg (92.3) | $149,486 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $150,260 | Above avg (104.3) | $144,062 |
| Idaho Falls, ID | $130,210 | Below avg (90.8) | $143,414 |
| Lynchburg, VA | $129,690 | Below avg (90.5) | $143,250 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $134,580 | Below avg (94.7) | $142,103 |
| Monroe, MI | $131,860 | Below avg (93.3) | $141,309 |
| Cleveland, OH | $127,860 | Below avg (92.9) | $137,619 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $135,040 | Average (98.4) | $137,299 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $136,590 | Average (102.4) | $133,437 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $128,150 | Average (97.3) | $131,675 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $129,820 | Average (100.5) | $129,199 |
Cost of Living Index: 100 = US national average. Below 100 = cheaper. Above 100 = more expensive.
Education & Requirements
Education Required
Bachelor's degree
10-Year Growth
-1% (Decline)
Hourly Rate
~$61/hr
Monthly Income
~$10,627/mo
Related Careers
Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics OOH (2024)