As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Nuclear Design Engineer in the United States is $80,180 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $39.
However, a Nuclear Design Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2026 Compensation Trend
Recruit with AI
AI-Powered HR
A Nuclear Design 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 Nuclear Design 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 |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Nuclear Design Engineer | $78,857 |
| Intermediate Level Nuclear Design Engineer | $81,701 |
| Senior Level Nuclear Design Engineer | $89,768 |
| Specialist Level Nuclear Design Engineer | $90,632 |
| Expert Level Nuclear Design Engineer | $91,208 |
What Am I Worth?
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 Design Engineers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Teamwork | 4.25% |
| Audiology | 2.12% |
| Diversity and Inclusion | 0.97% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Instructing
|
$117,063 |
46%
|
|
Home Care
|
$112,252 |
40%
|
|
Pathology
|
$100,225 |
25%
|
|
Quality Assurance
|
$88,198 |
10%
|
|
Patient Care
|
$86,595 |
8%
|
|
Collaboration
|
$85,793 |
7%
|
For Nuclear Design Engineer roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 20% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Healthcare, offers compensation 10% above the average. Conversely, Nuclear Design Engineer positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Nuclear Design Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare | $88,198 | $42.0 | 10% |
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Nuclear Design Engineers enter the field with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate 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 Nuclear Design Engineer with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $80,136 and $96,693).
Nuclear Design Engineer Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 5.1% |
| High School | 5.1% |
| Associates | 6.3% |
| Bachelors | 41.8% |
| Masters | 40.5% |
| Doctorate | 6.3% |
Understanding how a Nuclear Design 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.
Last Updated on August 01, 2026Salaries for a Nuclear Design Engineer can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $78,155 in 2023 to around $75,659 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Nuclear Design Engineer salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
View More
|
| 2023 | $78,155 |
| 2024 | $76,707 |
| 2025 | $75,659 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution.
Compensation PlanningHere are companies hiring for Nuclear Design Engineer and their salaries, click below for more details.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Nuclear Design Engineer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Get a Salary Increase
Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.
Search Job Openings
Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.
Adjust Employee Salary
Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.
Price My Industry Jobs
Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.
The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for Nuclear Design Engineer roles, with salaries approximately 10% above the market median.
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.
Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:
