What are the main factors that influence a Nuclear Engineer I's salary?

The primary factors are: 1) Experience Level, 2) Geographic Location, 3) Education/Skills, 4) Company Size & Industry

How does experience change A Nuclear Engineer 's salary?

A Nuclear Engineer 's salary grows with experience: a Nuclear Engineer I (0-2 years)earns $82,872, a Nuclear Engineer II (2-4 years)earns $96,871, a Nuclear Engineer III (4-7 years)earns $117,486, a Nuclear Engineer IV (7+ years)earns $141,924, a Nuclear Engineer V (7-10 years)earns $163,901,

What are the highest paying states for a Nuclear Engineer I?

Nuclear Engineer I salary varies significantly by state. The top 3 highest paying states for Nuclear Engineer I roles are District of Columbia $90,605, California $90,262, Massachusetts $89,059. These tech hubs typically pay 10-15% above the national average.

How much do different types of Nuclear Engineer roles make?

Salaries for Nuclear Engineer level roles vary by specialization: Nuclear Engineer V: $161,846; Engineer, Specialist - Nuclear: $140,200; Nuclear Engineer IV: $140,144; Senior Nuclear Engineer: $116,020; Nuclear Engineer III: $116,013.

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Nuclear Engineer I Salary in Delaware

How much does a Nuclear Engineer I make in Delaware?

As of April 01, 2026, the average salary for a Nuclear Engineer I in Delaware is $82,872 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $40.

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

Top Earners (90th percentile): $93,832
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $76,454 to $88,609
Entry-Level (10th percentile): $70,610

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Nuclear Engineer I Salaries by Percentile

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$88,609	$7,384	$1,704	$43
Average	$82,872	$6,906	$1,594	$40
25th Percentile	$76,454	$6,371	$1,470	$37

You may get higher pay by adjusting the following factors:

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Key Factors That Influence Nuclear Engineer I Salaries

A Nuclear Engineer I'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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Nuclear Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Nuclear Engineer I'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:

Nuclear Engineer I (0-2 years): $82,872
Nuclear Engineer II (2-4 years): $96,871
Nuclear Engineer III (4-7 years): $117,486
Nuclear Engineer IV (7+ years): $141,924
Nuclear Engineer V (7-10 years): $163,901

Job Role	Years of Experience	Average Salary
Nuclear Engineer I	0-2 years	$82,872
Nuclear Engineer II	2-4 years	$96,871
Nuclear Engineer III	4-7 years	$117,486
Nuclear Engineer IV	7+ years	$141,924
Nuclear Engineer V	7-10 years	$163,901

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What Am I Worth?

How Do Nuclear Engineer I 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 Nuclear Engineer Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

District of Columbia: $90,605.
California: $90,262.
Massachusetts: $89,059.

District of Columbia $90,605 California $90,262 Massachusetts $89,059 Washington $88,732 New Jersey $88,699 Alaska $88,584 Connecticut $87,455 New York $86,997

Hawaii $85,532 Rhode Island $84,844 Maryland $84,378 Minnesota $83,740 Colorado $83,494 Illinois $83,412 Oregon $83,101 Delaware $82,872

New Hampshire $82,728 Virginia $82,406 Pennsylvania $81,465 Nevada $80,990 North Dakota $80,835 Michigan $80,589 Wisconsin $80,499 Vermont $80,319

Texas $79,820 Maine $79,787 Arizona $79,738 Ohio $79,681 Georgia $78,928 Indiana $78,551 Wyoming $78,478 Utah $78,363

Iowa $78,314 Kansas $77,921 Louisiana $77,807 North Carolina $77,766 Missouri $77,750 Florida $77,430 Montana $77,259 Nebraska $77,095

Kentucky $77,005 South Carolina $76,678 Tennessee $76,473 Idaho $76,391 New Mexico $75,794 Oklahoma $75,663 Alabama $75,180 South Dakota $74,370

Arkansas $73,928 West Virginia $73,691 Mississippi $72,979

Top Paying Cities for Nuclear Engineer Is

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:

Lincoln: $85,769
Little Creek: $84,975
Magnolia: $85,327

Lincoln, DE $85,769 Little Creek, DE $84,975 Magnolia, DE $85,327 Milford, DE $85,769 Marydel, DE $84,656 Millsboro, DE $85,769 Millville, DE $86,342 Milton, DE $85,769

Nassau, DE $85,769 Ocean View, DE $86,342 Rehoboth Beach, DE $86,342 Seaford, DE $84,869 Selbyville, DE $86,342 Smyrna, DE $84,558 Viola, DE $85,327 Woodside, DE $85,082

Bear, DE $83,936 Newark, DE $83,969 Claymont, DE $84,034 Delaware City, DE $83,969 Hockessin, DE $84,034 Kirkwood, DE $83,969 Middletown, DE $84,386 Montchanin, DE $84,034

New Castle, DE $84,034 Odessa, DE $84,501 Port Penn, DE $83,740 Rockland, DE $84,034 Saint Georges, DE $83,969 Townsend, DE $84,378 Winterthur, DE $84,034 Lewes, DE $85,769

Wilmington, DE $84,034 Dover, DE $84,934 Dover Afb, DE $85,131 Bethany Beach, DE $86,342 Bethel, DE $84,869 Bridgeville, DE $85,769 Camden Wyoming, DE $85,024 Cheswold, DE $84,738

Clayton, DE $84,525 Dagsboro, DE $86,342 Delmar, DE $84,869 Ellendale, DE $85,769 Felton, DE $85,769 Fenwick Island, DE $86,342 Frankford, DE $86,342 Frederica, DE $85,769

Georgetown, DE $85,769 Greenwood, DE $85,769 Harbeson, DE $85,769 Harrington, DE $85,769 Hartly, DE $84,484 Houston, DE $85,769 Kenton, DE $84,525 Laurel, DE $84,869

Yorklyn, DE $84,034

Nuclear Engineer I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Nuclear Engineer I'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 April 01, 2026

$76,454

Average $82,872/year

$88,609

$6,371

Average $6,906/month

$7,384

$1,470

Average $1,594/week

$1,704

$37

Average $40/hour

$43

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$88,609	$7,384	$1,704	$43
Average	$82,872	$6,906	$1,594	$40
25th Percentile	$76,454	$6,371	$1,470	$37

Nuclear Engineer I Salary Growth & Career Path

Nuclear Engineer I

Aeronautical Engineer II

Airport Engineer

Aerospace Engineer II

Engineer II

Aeronautical Engineering Director

Aerospace Engineer III

Engineering Director

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Nuclear Engineer I, 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 I Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role	Estimate Salary	Projected Raise
Aeronautical Engineer II	$96,866	17%
Airport Engineer	$73,562	-11%
Aerospace Engineer II	$96,866	17%
Engineer II	$93,308	13%

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