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Hourly Wage for Entry Nuclear Engineer Salary in the United States

How much does an Entry Nuclear Engineer make hourly?

As of June 01, 2026, the average hourly rate for an Entry Nuclear Engineer in the United States is $39, which translates to an annual salary of about $81,900.

However, the hourly wage can vary significantly based on several factors. Here’s a detailed look at the typical pay range per hour:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $45 per hour
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $36 to $42 per hour
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $34 per hour
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View as table View as graph 25% $36 10% $34 90% $45 75% $42 $39 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Entry Nuclear Engineer Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $87,600 $7,300 $1,685 $42
Average $81,900 $6,825 $1,575 $39
25th Percentile $75,600 $6,300 $1,454 $36
Check out Entry Nuclear Engineer Job Openings in the United States
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Key Factors That Influence Entry Nuclear Engineer Salaries

An Entry Nuclear Engineer'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 Entry Nuclear Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Entry Nuclear Engineer'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): $81,831
  • Engineer, Experienced - Nuclear (2-4 years): $95,656
  • Radiological Engineer III (4-7 years): $116,014
  • Engineer, Specialist - Nuclear (7+ years): $140,150
  • Engineer, Lead/Master - Nuclear (7-10 years): $161,836
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Entry Nuclear Engineer0-2 years$81,831
Engineer, Experienced - Nuclear2-4 years$95,656
Radiological Engineer III4-7 years$116,014
Engineer, Specialist - Nuclear7+ years$140,150
Engineer, Lead/Master - Nuclear7-10 years$161,836
$81,831 Entry Nuc...
$95,656 Engineer,...
$116,014 Radiologi...
$140,150 Engineer,...
$161,836 Engineer,...
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Entry Nuclear Engineers

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: $103,300
  • San Francisco: $102,100
  • Oakland: $100,000

What Skills Can Increase an Entry Nuclear Engineer's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Troubleshooting (Mentioned in 18.57% Job Postings): Troubleshooting is a form of problem solving, often applied to repair failed products or processes on a machine or a system. It is a logical, systematic search for the source of a problem in order to solve it, and make the product or process operational again. Troubleshooting is needed to identify the symptoms. Determining the most likely cause is a process of elimination—eliminating potential causes of a problem. Finally, troubleshooting requires confirmation that the solution restores the product or process to its working state. In general, troubleshooting is the identification or diagnosis of "trouble" in the management flow of a system caused by a failure of some kind. The problem is initially described as symptoms of malfunction, and troubleshooting is the process of determining and remedying the causes of these symptoms. A system can be described in terms of its expected, desired or intended behavior (usually, for artificial systems, its purpose). Events or inputs to the system are expected to generate specific results or outputs. (For example, selecting the "print" option from various computer applications is intended to result in a hardcopy emerging from some specific device). Any unexpected or undesirable behavior is a symptom. Troubleshooting is the process of isolating the specific cause or causes of the symptom. Frequently the symptom is a failure of the product or process to produce any results. (Nothing was printed, for example). Corrective action can then be taken to prevent further failures of a similar kind.
  • Construction Management (Mentioned in 0.34% Job Postings): Construction management (CM) is a professional service that uses specialized, project management techniques to oversee the planning, design, and construction of a project, from its beginning to its end. The purpose of CM is to control a project's time / delivery, cost and quality—sometimes referred to as a project management triangle or "triple constraints." CM is compatible with all project delivery systems, including design-bid-build, design-build, CM At-Risk and Public Private Partnerships. Professional construction managers may be reserved for lengthy, large-scale, high budget undertakings (commercial real estate, transportation infrastructure, industrial facilities, and military infrastructure), called capital projects.
  • Python (Mentioned in 0.34% Job Postings): Applying the concepts and algorithms of Python to design, develop and maintain software applications to comply with business requirements.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Troubleshooting 18.57%
Construction Management 0.34%
Python 0.34%
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 Entry Nuclear Engineer's salary.
  • Cybersecurity: Can increase your salary by up to 39%.
  • Test Plans: Can increase your salary by up to 37%.
  • Consulting: Can increase your salary by up to 36%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Cybersecurity
$113,841
39%
Test Plans
$112,203
37%
Consulting
$111,384
36%
Analytical Skills
$110,565
35%
Hydraulics
$104,832
28%
Analysis
$102,375
25%
Get Latest Data

How Education impacts an Entry Nuclear Engineer's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Entry Nuclear Engineers enter the field with a Associate'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 Entry Nuclear Engineer with a Associate's Degree is between $85,439 and $89,397).

Entry Nuclear Engineer Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Entry Nuclear Engineer
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 3.8%
High School 3.8%
Associates 1.3%
Bachelors 58.2%
Masters 27.8%
Doctorate 8.9%
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Entry Nuclear Engineer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Entry Nuclear Engineer'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.

Last Updated on June 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Entry Nuclear Engineer

Salaries for an Entry Nuclear Engineer can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $81,458 in 2023 to around $79,797 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Entry Nuclear Engineer salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Entry Nuclear Engineer Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$81,458
2024
$81,168
2025
$79,797
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $81,458
2024 $81,168
2025 $79,797
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Entry Nuclear Engineer

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

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FAQ about Entry Nuclear Engineer

1. How much do nuclear engineers make in the US?

Nuclear engineers in the US typically earn between $83,900 and $108,100 annually, with a median salary around $90,800. These figures reflect the entry-level salary range for this profession, highlighting the potential for growth as experience and expertise increase.

2. What is the highest salary for an entry-level engineer?

The highest salary for an entry-level nuclear engineer is $108,100. In comparison, the minimum salary starts at $83,900, while the mid-range salary is approximately $90,800. This reflects the competitive nature of the engineering field, particularly in nuclear engineering.

3. What engineers make 200k a year?

While many engineering roles can reach high salaries, entry-level nuclear engineers typically earn between $83,900 and $108,100 annually, with a mid-salary of $90,800. Positions that may offer salaries around $200k usually require significant experience or specialization, such as senior roles in mixed signal design or nuclear safety engineering.

4. How much does MIT pay nuclear engineer?

The salary range for an Entry Nuclear Engineer at MIT is approximately $83,900 to $108,100 annually. This translates to an hourly rate of about $40.31 to $51.92, encompassing both base salary and additional compensation.

5. What GPA do you need to be a nuclear engineer?

To become a nuclear engineer, a minimum GPA of 3.0 is often required for graduation from many bachelor's programs and for entry into master's programs. Some programs may accept GPAs between 2.0-2.6. A higher GPA can enhance your opportunities. Entry-level nuclear engineers can expect salaries ranging from $83,900 to $108,100, with a median around $90,800.

6. Is nuclear engineering hard to get into?

Becoming a nuclear engineer can be challenging, requiring at least a bachelor's degree, often a graduate degree, and passing the FE and PE exams. Relevant work experience and state licensure may also be necessary. However, the effort can be rewarding, with entry-level salaries ranging from $83,900 to $108,100, depending on experience and location.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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