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Nuclear Engineer IV Salary in Silver Spring, MD

How much does a Nuclear Engineer IV make in Silver Spring, MD?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Nuclear Engineer IV in Silver Spring, MD is $154,057 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $74.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $171,027
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $143,630 to $162,940
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $134,137

Key Factors That Influence Nuclear Engineer IV Salaries

A Nuclear Engineer IV'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, skills and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Nuclear Engineer IV Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Nuclear Engineer IV'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): $89,946
  • Nuclear Engineer II (2-4 years): $105,144
  • Nuclear Engineer III (4-7 years): $127,521
  • Nuclear Engineer IV (7+ years): $154,057
  • Nuclear Engineer V (7-10 years): $177,879
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Nuclear Engineer I0-2 years$89,946
Nuclear Engineer II2-4 years$105,144
Nuclear Engineer III4-7 years$127,521
Nuclear Engineer IV7+ years$154,057
Nuclear Engineer V7-10 years$177,879

Top Paying Cities for Nuclear Engineer IV

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: $176,778
  • San Francisco: $174,842
  • Oakland: $171,157

What Skills Can Increase a Nuclear Engineer IV's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 5.2% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • AutoCAD (Mentioned in 1.76% Job Postings): 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 (Mentioned in 1.31% Job Postings): Executing logic to facilitate computing operations and functionality in one or more languages.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 5.2%
AutoCAD 1.76%
Programming 1.31%

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 IV's salary.

  • Preventative Maintenance: Can increase your salary by up to 71%.
  • Presentation: Can increase your salary by up to 25%.
  • Agile: Can increase your salary by up to 21%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Preventative Maintenance $263,437
71%
Presentation $192,571
25%
Agile $186,409
21%

Nuclear Engineer IV Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Nuclear Engineer IV salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $172,187. While startup companies pay approximate $145,944.

Nuclear Engineer IV Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $145,944
Growth Stage 51~500 $154,266
Established 501~5000 $166,356
Enterprise 5000+ $172,187

Nuclear Engineer IV Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Nuclear Engineer IV 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 IV as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Nuclear Engineer IV

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$196,217$94.040%
Energy & Utilities$182,202$88.030%
Aerospace & Defense$168,186$81.020%
Business Services$154,170$74.010%

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

Understanding how a Nuclear Engineer IV'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
$143,630
Average $154,057/year
$162,940
$11,969
Average $12,838/month
$13,578
$2,762
Average $2,963/week
$3,133
$69
Average $74/hour
$78
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $162,940 $13,578 $3,133 $78
Average $154,057 $12,838 $2,963 $74
25th Percentile $143,630 $11,969 $2,762 $69

Nuclear Engineer IV Salary Growth & Career Path

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Nuclear Engineer IV, 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 IV Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Aeronautical Engineer V $178,926 16%
Aerospace Engineer V $177,875 15%
Engineer V $177,879 15%
Guidance, Navigation & Control Engineer V $185,306 20%

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Cost of Living In Silver Spring, MD

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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

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