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Nuclear Engineer III Salary in the United States

How much does a Nuclear Engineer III make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Nuclear Engineer III in the United States is $116,014 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $56.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $130,018
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $108,223 to $123,344
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $101,130
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Nuclear Engineer III Salaries

A Nuclear Engineer III'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 III Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Nuclear Engineer III'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): $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
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Nuclear Engineer I0-2 years$81,829
Nuclear Engineer II2-4 years$95,656
Nuclear Engineer III4-7 years$116,014
Nuclear Engineer IV7+ years$140,155
Nuclear Engineer V7-10 years$161,827
View as Graph

How Do Nuclear Engineer IIIs 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 IIIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $128,451.
  • California: $127,963.
  • Massachusetts: $126,258.

Top Paying Cities for Nuclear Engineer III

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: $146,328
  • San Francisco: $144,726
  • Oakland: $141,676

What Skills Can Increase a Nuclear Engineer III'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.
Skills Demand Percentage
Troubleshooting 18.57%
Construction Management 0.34%
Python 0.34%
See More Skills

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 III's salary.

  • SOW: Can increase your salary by up to 18%.
  • Cybersecurity: Can increase your salary by up to 14%.
  • Written Communication: Can increase your salary by up to 13%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
SOW $136,897
18%
Cybersecurity $132,256
14%
Written Communication $131,096
13%
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Nuclear Engineer III Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Nuclear Engineer III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $129,667. While startup companies pay approximate $109,905.

Nuclear Engineer III Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $109,905
Growth Stage 51~500 $116,171
Established 501~5000 $125,276
Enterprise 5000+ $129,667

Nuclear Engineer III Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Nuclear Engineer III roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 80% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, Nuclear Engineer positions in Transportation or MFG Durable typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Nuclear Engineer III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Nuclear Engineer III

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$162,420$78.040%
Energy & Utilities$150,818$73.030%
Aerospace & Defense$139,217$67.020%
Business Services$127,615$61.010%

How Education impacts an Nuclear Engineer III's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Nuclear Engineer III 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 III with a Bachelor's Degree is between $123,288 and $130,001.

Nuclear Engineer III Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Nuclear Engineer III
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 2.6%
High School 2.6%
Associates 2.6%
Bachelors 17.9%
Masters 56.4%
Doctorate 20.5%
View as Graph

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

Understanding how a Nuclear Engineer III'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 August 01, 2026
$108,223
Average $116,014/year
$123,344
$9,019
Average $9,668/month
$10,279
$2,081
Average $2,231/week
$2,372
$52
Average $56/hour
$59
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $123,344 $10,279 $2,372 $59
Average $116,014 $9,668 $2,231 $56
25th Percentile $108,223 $9,019 $2,081 $52

Nuclear Engineer III Salary Growth & Career Path

Nuclear Engineer III

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Nuclear Engineer III, 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.

Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Aeronautical Engineer IV $140,155 21%
Aerospace Engineer IV $140,152 21%
Engineer IV $140,155 21%
Guidance, Navigation & Control Engineer IV $135,471 17%

Most common benefits for Nuclear Engineer III

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

Common company salaries for Nuclear Engineer III

Here are companies hiring for Nuclear Engineer III and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Nuclear Engineer III

1. Where can a Nuclear Engineer III earn the most?

A Nuclear Engineer III's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Nuclear Engineer III earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Nuclear Engineer III is $146,328.

2. What is the highest pay for Nuclear Engineer III?

The highest pay for Nuclear Engineer III is $130,018.

3. What is the lowest pay for Nuclear Engineer III?

The lowest pay for Nuclear Engineer III is $101,130.

4. What are the responsibilities of Nuclear Engineer III?

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 master's degree in nuclear engineering or related field. Typically reports to a manager. Work is generally independent and collaborative in nature. Contributes to moderately complex aspects of a project. Typically requires 4 -7 years of related experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Nuclear Engineer III?

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Nuclear Engineer III roles, with salaries approximately 40% above the market median.

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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