As of August 01, 2026, the average hourly rate for a Nuclear Engineer II in the United States is $46, which translates to an annual salary of about $95,656.
However, the hourly wage can vary significantly based on several factors. Here’s a detailed look at the typical pay range per hour:
Nuclear Engineer II Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $101,670 | $8,473 | $1,955 | $49 |
| Average | $95,656 | $7,971 | $1,840 | $46 |
| 25th Percentile | $89,178 | $7,432 | $1,715 | $43 |
A Nuclear Engineer II'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.
Experience is a primary driver of a Nuclear Engineer II'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:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Nuclear Engineer I | 0-2 years | $81,829 |
| Nuclear Engineer II | 2-4 years | $95,656 |
| Nuclear Engineer III | 4-7 years | $116,014 |
| Nuclear Engineer IV | 7+ years | $140,155 |
| Nuclear Engineer V | 7-10 years | $161,827 |
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Analysis | 5.2% |
| AutoCAD | 1.76% |
| Programming | 1.31% |
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 II's salary.
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
| Customer Service | $110,961 | |
| Risk Management | $107,135 | |
| Sustainability | $107,135 |
Nuclear Engineer II salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $106,913. While startup companies pay approximate $90,619.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $90,619 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $95,786 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $103,293 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $106,913 |
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Nuclear Engineer II enter the field with a Bachelor's 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 Nuclear Engineer II with a Bachelor's Degree is between $102,828 and $108,758.
| Typical Education for Nuclear Engineer II | |
|---|---|
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
| No Diploma | 1.6% |
| High School | 1.6% |
| Associates | 57.4% |
| Bachelors | 32.8% |
| Masters | 57.4% |
| Doctorate | 8.2% |
Understanding how a Nuclear Engineer II'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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $101,670 | $8,473 | $1,955 | $49 |
| Average | $95,656 | $7,971 | $1,840 | $46 |
| 25th Percentile | $89,178 | $7,432 | $1,715 | $43 |
Salaries for a Nuclear Engineer II can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $99,246 in 2023 to around $98,381 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Nuclear Engineer II salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 | View More |
| 2023 | $99,246 |
| 2024 | $99,149 |
| 2025 | $98,381 |
| 2026 |
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| 2027 |
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Designs and initiates processes to gain benefit from nuclear energy and radiation. Conducts research into problems of nuclear energy systems. Designs and develops nuclear equipment. Monitors testing, operation, and maintenance of nuclear reactors. Requires a bachelor's degree in nuclear engineering or related field. Typically reports to a supervisor or manager. Occasionally directed in several aspects of the work. Gaining exposure to some of the complex tasks within the job function. Typically requires 2 -4 years of related experience.
Specify the abilities and skills that a person needs in order to carry out the specified job duties. Each competency has five to ten behavioral assertions that can be observed, each with a corresponding performance level (from one to five) that is required for a particular job.
Analysis: Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
AutoCAD: 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: Executing logic to facilitate computing operations and functionality in one or more languages.
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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