As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Reactor Engineer in the United States is $112,146 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $54.
However, a Reactor Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Reactor Engineer Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $119,118 | $9,927 | $2,291 | $57 |
| Average | $112,146 | $9,346 | $2,157 | $54 |
| 25th Percentile | $103,930 | $8,661 | $1,999 | $50 |
A Reactor Engineer'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 Reactor Engineer'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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Nuclear E... Level Reactor Engineer | $80,306 |
| Nuclear E... Level Reactor Engineer | $93,877 |
| Reactor E... Level Reactor Engineer | $113,857 |
| Nuclear E... Level Reactor Engineer | $137,551 |
| Nuclear E... Level Reactor Engineer | $158,812 |
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Troubleshooting | 18.57% |
| Construction Management | 0.34% |
| Python | 0.34% |
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 Reactor Engineer's salary.
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
| SOW | $132,332 | |
| Cybersecurity | $127,846 | |
| Written Communication | $126,725 |
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Reactor Engineers 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 Reactor Engineer with a Bachelor's Degree is between $123,288 and $130,001).
| Typical Education for Reactor Engineer | |
|---|---|
| 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% |
Understanding how a Reactor Engineer'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 | $119,118 | $9,927 | $2,291 | $57 |
| Average | $112,146 | $9,346 | $2,157 | $54 |
| 25th Percentile | $103,930 | $8,661 | $1,999 | $50 |
Salaries for a Reactor Engineer can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $115,716 in 2023 to around $114,619 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Reactor Engineer salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 | View More |
| 2023 | $115,716 |
| 2024 | $115,870 |
| 2025 | $114,619 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
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The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Reactor Engineer roles, with salaries approximately 40% above the market median.
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