Nuclear Engineer - Expert/Consultant Salary in the United States

How much does a Nuclear Engineer - Expert/Consultant make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Nuclear Engineer - Expert/Consultant in the United States is $161,830 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $78.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $175,604
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $153,240 to $169,040
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $145,419

Key Factors That Influence Nuclear Engineer - Expert/Consultant Salaries

A Nuclear Engineer - Expert/Consultant'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 Nuclear Engineer - Expert/Consultant Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Nuclear Engineer - Expert/Consultant'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): $81,828
  • Engineer, Experienced - Nuclear (2-4 years): $95,656
  • Radiological Engineer III (4-7 years): $116,015
  • Engineer, Specialist - Nuclear (7+ years): $140,158
  • Nuclear Engineer - Expert/Consultant (7-10 years): $161,822
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Entry Nuclear Engineer0-2 years$81,828
Engineer, Experienced - Nuclear2-4 years$95,656
Radiological Engineer III4-7 years$116,015
Engineer, Specialist - Nuclear7+ years$140,158
Nuclear Engineer - Expert/Consultant7-10 years$161,822

Top Paying Cities for Nuclear Engineer - Expert/Consultants

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: $204,110
  • San Francisco: $201,880
  • Oakland: $197,620

What Skills Can Increase a Nuclear Engineer - Expert/Consultant's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 7.69% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Hydraulics (Mentioned in 5.13% Job Postings): Hydraulics is a technology and applied science using engineering, chemistry, and other sciences involving the mechanical properties and use of liquids.
  • SOW (Mentioned in 5.13% Job Postings): Sow is A statement of work is a document routinely employed in the field of project management. It is the narrative description of a project's work requirement
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 7.69%
Hydraulics 5.13%
SOW 5.13%

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 a Nuclear Engineer - Expert/Consultant's salary.

  • Consulting: Can increase your salary by up to 29%.
  • Analysis: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Consulting $208,761
29%
Analysis $166,685
3%

Nuclear Engineer - Expert/Consultant Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Nuclear Engineer - Expert/Consultant salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $180,574. While startup companies pay approximate $153,040.

Nuclear Engineer - Expert/Consultant Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $153,040
Growth Stage 51~500 $161,763
Established 501~5000 $174,451
Enterprise 5000+ $180,574

Nuclear Engineer - Expert/Consultant Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Nuclear Engineer - Expert/Consultant roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 130% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 50% above the average. In contrast, Nuclear Engineer - Expert/Consultant positions in Transportation or MFG Durable typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Nuclear Engineer - Expert/Consultant as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Nuclear Engineer - Expert/Consultant

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$242,745$117.050%
Energy & Utilities$226,562$109.040%
Biotechnology$210,379$101.030%
Aerospace & Defense$194,196$93.020%

How Education impacts a Nuclear Engineer - Expert/Consultant's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Nuclear Engineer - Expert/Consultants 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 a Nuclear Engineer - Expert/Consultant with a Bachelor's Degree is between $173,280 and $182,551).

Nuclear Engineer - Expert/Consultant Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Nuclear Engineer - Expert/Consultant
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.6%
High School 1.6%
Associates 25.4%
Bachelors 25.4%
Masters 34.9%
Doctorate 36.5%

Nuclear Engineer - Expert/Consultant Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Nuclear Engineer - Expert/Consultant'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 September 01, 2026
$153,240
Average $161,830/year
$169,040
$12,770
Average $13,486/month
$14,087
$2,947
Average $3,112/week
$3,251
$74
Average $78/hour
$81
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $169,040 $14,087 $3,251 $81
Average $161,830 $13,486 $3,112 $78
25th Percentile $153,240 $12,770 $2,947 $74

Nuclear Engineer - Expert/Consultant Salary Growth & Career Path

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Nuclear Engineer - Expert/Consultant, 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.

Nuclear Engineer - Expert/Consultant Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Aviation Engineer VI $199,500 23%
Aerospace Aviation Engineer VI $199,200 23%
General Engineer VI $187,100 16%
GNC Engineer VI $212,100 31%

Most common benefits for Nuclear Engineer - Expert/Consultant

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Nuclear Engineer - Expert/Consultant

Here are companies hiring for Nuclear Engineer - Expert/Consultant and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Nuclear Engineer - Expert/Consultant

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Nuclear Engineer - Expert/Consultant?

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Nuclear Engineer - Expert/Consultant roles, with salaries approximately 50% above the market median.

2. Are scientists paid well in USA?

Scientists in the USA can earn competitive salaries. For example, Nuclear Engineers at the expert or consultant level have a salary range from $165,790 to $201,000, with a median salary of $182,070. This indicates that many scientific roles, especially in specialized fields, offer substantial financial rewards.

3. How much do scientific consultants make in the US?

Scientific consultants in the US can expect to earn a salary ranging from approximately $165,790 to $201,000, with a median salary around $182,070. This reflects the specialized expertise required in fields like nuclear engineering, which typically offers higher compensation compared to general scientific consulting roles.

4. How much are consultants paid in the US?

Consultants in the nuclear engineering field can expect to earn significantly more than the general consultant average. The salary range for an expert or consultant in this area is between $165,790 and $201,000, with a mid-salary of approximately $182,070 per year. This reflects the specialized skills and expertise required in the nuclear engineering sector.

5. Which university is best for nuclear engineering?

The best universities for nuclear engineering, based on the NIRF Ranking 2024, include IIT Madras (Rank 1), IIT Delhi (Rank 2), IIT Bombay (Rank 3), and IIT Kanpur (Rank 4). Graduates in this field can expect salaries ranging from $165,790 to $201,000, with a median salary of $182,070, reflecting the high demand for expertise in nuclear engineering.

6. Which country is the best to work as a nuclear engineer?

Canada has long been a leader in nuclear research and technology, and the industry is only predicted to grow. As a nuclear engineer, you can expect a competitive salary ranging from $165,790 to $201,000, with a mid-salary of $182,070. Here are just five reasons you should consider engineering jobs within Canada's nuclear market.

7. Which Consultant has highest salary?

The highest salary for a Nuclear Engineer - Expert/Consultant ranges from $165,790 to $201,000, with a mid-salary of $182,070. This positions them significantly above many other consulting roles, reflecting their specialized expertise and the critical nature of their work in the nuclear industry.

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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