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Engineer, Specialist - Nuclear Salary in the United States

How much does an Engineer, Specialist - Nuclear make in the United States?

As of February 01, 2026, the average salary for an Engineer, Specialist - Nuclear in the United States is $140,200 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $67.

However, an Engineer, Specialist - Nuclear's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $155,484
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $130,700 to $148,200
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $122,051
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View as table View as graph 25% $130,700 10% $122,051 90% $155,484 75% $148,200 $140,200 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Engineer, Specialist - Nuclear Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary		 Monthly
Pay		 Weekly
Pay		 Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $148,200 $12,350 $2,850 $71
Average $140,200 $11,683 $2,696 $67
25th Percentile $130,700 $10,892 $2,513 $63
Check out Engineer, Specialist - Nuclear Job Openings in the United States
Custodial Engineer

Southeast Technical College - BUFFALO RIDGE, SD

Nuclear Engineer

SOSi - RESTON, VA

Nuclear Engineer Lead

Booz Allen Hamilton - RESTON, VA

Nuclear Engineer Senior

Booz Allen Hamilton - RESTON, VA

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Key Factors That Influence Engineer, Specialist - Nuclear Salaries

An Engineer, Specialist - Nuclear's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Engineer, Specialist - Nuclear Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Engineer, Specialist - Nuclear's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry Nuclear Engineer (0-2 years): $81,836
  • Engineer, Experienced - Nuclear (2-4 years): $95,656
  • Radiological Engineer III (4-7 years): $116,012
  • Engineer, Specialist - Nuclear (7+ years): $140,138
  • Engineer, Lead/Master - Nuclear (7-10 years): $161,856
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Entry Nuclear Engineer0-2 years$81,836
Engineer, Experienced - Nuclear2-4 years$95,656
Radiological Engineer III4-7 years$116,012
Engineer, Specialist - Nuclear7+ years$140,138
Engineer, Lead/Master - Nuclear7-10 years$161,856
$81,836 Entry Nuc...
$95,656 Engineer,...
$116,012 Radiologi...
$140,138 Engineer,...
$161,856 Engineer,...
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Engineer, Specialist - Nuclear Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Engineer, Specialist - Nuclears. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $155,200.
  • California: $154,600.
  • Massachusetts: $152,600.

Top Paying Cities for Engineer, Specialist - Nuclears

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $176,800
  • San Francisco: $175,100
  • Oakland: $171,200

What Skills Can Increase an Engineer, Specialist - Nuclear's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 5.2% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • AutoCAD (Mentioned in 1.76% Job Postings): AutoCAD is a commercial computer-aided design and drafting software application. Developed and marketed by Autodesk, AutoCAD was first released in December 1982 as a desktop app running on microcomputers with internal graphics controllers.
  • Programming (Mentioned in 1.31% Job Postings): Executing logic to facilitate computing operations and functionality in one or more languages.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 5.2%
AutoCAD 1.76%
Programming 1.31%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on an Engineer, Specialist - Nuclear's salary.
  • Preventative Maintenance: Can increase your salary by up to 71%.
  • Presentation: Can increase your salary by up to 25%.
  • Agile: Can increase your salary by up to 21%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Preventative Maintenance
 $239,742
71%
Presentation
 $175,250
25%
Agile
 $169,642
21%
SQL
 $169,642
21%
Oracle
 $169,642
21%
Computer Science
 $161,230
15%
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How Education impacts an Engineer, Specialist - Nuclear's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Engineer, Specialist - Nuclears enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Engineer, Specialist - Nuclear with a Bachelor's Degree is between $146,634 and $155,039).

Engineer, Specialist - Nuclear Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Engineer, Specialist - Nuclear
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 29.0%
High School 41.9%
Associates 29.0%
Bachelors 29.0%
Masters 41.9%
Doctorate 29.0%
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Engineer, Specialist - Nuclear Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Engineer, Specialist - Nuclear's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on February 01, 2026
$130,700
Average $140,200/year
$148,200
$10,892
Average $11,683/month
$12,350
$2,513
Average $2,696/week
$2,850
$63
Average $67/hour
$71
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $148,200 $12,350 $2,850 $71
Average $140,200 $11,683 $2,696 $67
25th Percentile $130,700 $10,892 $2,513 $63

Engineer, Specialist - Nuclear Salary Growth & Career Path

Engineer, Specialist - Nuclear
Aviation Engineer V
Aerospace Aviation Engineer V
Engineer - Expert/Consultant
GNC Engineer V
Aviation Engineering Director
Aerospace Aviation Engineering Senior Manager
General Engineering Director
GNC Engineer VI

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As an Engineer, Specialist - Nuclear, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

Engineer, Specialist - Nuclear Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Aviation Engineer V $162,900 16%
Aerospace Aviation Engineer V $161,860 15%
Engineer - Expert/Consultant $161,900 15%
GNC Engineer V $168,600 20%

Salaries of jobs related to Engineer, Specialist - Nuclear

Salary Trends for Engineer, Specialist - Nuclear

Salaries for an Engineer, Specialist - Nuclear can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $136,598 in 2023 to around $133,796 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Engineer, Specialist - Nuclear salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Engineer, Specialist - Nuclear Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$136,598
2024
$135,030
2025
$133,796
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $136,598
2024 $135,030
2025 $133,796
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Engineer, Specialist - Nuclear

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Engineer, Specialist - Nuclear

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Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Engineer, Specialist - Nuclear job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

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FAQ about Engineer, Specialist - Nuclear

1. What is the highest salary for a nuclear engineer?

The salary range for a Nuclear Engineer Specialist is as follows: Minimum Salary: $139,300, Mid Salary: $154,800, and Maximum Salary: $170,000. This reflects the compensation for professionals in this field, with the highest salary reaching up to $170,000 per year.

2. How much does MIT pay nuclear engineer?

The estimated total pay range for a Nuclear Engineer at MIT is approximately $139,300 to $170,000 annually. The average base salary is around $154,800. Additional pay may vary but is not specified. This reflects the competitive compensation for professionals in this specialized field.

3. What is the lowest salary for a nuclear engineer?

The lowest salary for a Specialist - Nuclear Engineer is $139,300. The mid-range salary is $154,800, while the maximum salary can reach up to $170,000. These figures reflect the current compensation landscape for this role, indicating a strong earning potential in the field.

4. What is the highest pay for Nuclear Engineer?

The highest pay for Nuclear Engineers can reach up to $170,000 per year based on salary data. However, some cities report even higher salaries, such as Surry, VA at $206,760, and Livermore, CA at $189,777. The typical salary range for Nuclear Engineers is between $139,300 and $170,000, with a mid-salary of $154,800.

5. How hard is it to be a Nuclear Engineer?

Becoming a Nuclear Engineer can be challenging, as it typically requires at least a bachelor's degree, with advanced roles needing a master's or doctorate. The coursework and professional responsibilities demand significant focus and dedication. Salaries for this role range from $139,300 to $170,000, reflecting the expertise and commitment required in this field.

6. How much does a nuclear specialist make?

A Nuclear Specialist typically earns between $139,300 and $170,000 annually, with a mid-salary of around $154,800. Salaries can vary by state; for example, in California, the average salary is approximately $154,810, while in Arizona, it's about $152,270.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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