How Much Does a Nuclear Design Engineer Make in California?

Updated April 01, 2025
As of April 01, 2025, the average annual pay of Nuclear Design Engineer in California is $116,900. While Salary.com is seeing that Nuclear Design Engineer salary in CA can go up to $148,630 or down to $62,581, but most earn between $88,468 and $133,509. Salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, and your experience levels. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.
25% $88,468 10% $62,581 90% $148,630 75% $133,509 $116,900 50%(Median)
Related Job Titles to Nuclear Design Engineer
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Nuclear Engineer III
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Similar Job Salaries to Nuclear Design Engineer by Company

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Company average base salary in (usd) range
Navy
NUCLEAR ENGINEER
$115,598/yr
$107,788
$123,408
RANGE: $107,788 - $123,408
US Navy (Wavemaker) (USD)
NUCLEAR ENGINEER
$112,338/yr
$104,149
$120,527
RANGE: $104,149 - $120,527
General Atomics
Electronic Nuclear Products Engineer
$79,137/yr
$71,132
$87,142
RANGE: $71,132 - $87,142
General Matter
Nuclear Licensing Engineer
$116,488/yr
$108,623
$124,352
RANGE: $108,623 - $124,352
$100,112/yr
$92,105
$108,119
RANGE: $92,105 - $108,119
Tekgence Inc
Design Engineer
$137,930/yr
$127,438
$148,423
RANGE: $127,438 - $148,423
RS Hughes Co., Inc.
Design Engineer
$117,943/yr
$108,207
$127,680
RANGE: $108,207 - $127,680
Actalent
Design Engineer
$114,314/yr
$104,249
$124,379
RANGE: $104,249 - $124,379
BKF Engineers
Design Engineer
$123,440/yr
$112,949
$133,932
RANGE: $112,949 - $133,932
Snap Inc
Design Engineer
$118,285/yr
$108,520
$128,050
RANGE: $108,520 - $128,050

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Top 10 Highest Paying Cities For Nuclear Design Engineer Jobs in California

It is important to understand how location impacts your career prospects in the United States. There are some cities where a Nuclear Design Engineer can find a job easily with a greater salary paid then achieve a higher standard of living. Below is the top cities list for Nuclear Design Engineer job salaries in California. Some cities can pay higher salaries for Nuclear Design Engineer jobs, which can indicate that there is a large demand for Nuclear Design Engineer positions in this city.
The following table shows top 10 cities where the Nuclear Design Engineer salary is higher than other cities in California. San Jose takes first place in this list, followed by Santa Clara, Fremont. The Nuclear Design Engineer salary is $133,677 in San Jose, which is higher than the national average. There are 76 cities' Nuclear Design Engineer salary higher than national average in California.
The average salary for a Nuclear Design Engineer in California is $116,900, but we found that the city with the highest salary for Nuclear Design Engineer jobs is San Jose, CA, and it is higher than Santa Clara. Nuclear Design Engineer jobs in San Jose can have the opportunity to earn higher salaries than in other cities in California.
CITY ANNUAL SALARY MONTHLY PAY WEEKLY PAY HOURLY WAGE
San Jose $133,677 $11,140 $2,571 $64
Santa Clara $133,677 $11,140 $2,571 $64
Fremont $133,423 $11,119 $2,566 $64
San Francisco $132,363 $11,030 $2,545 $64
Daly City $132,363 $11,030 $2,545 $64
Berkeley $129,427 $10,786 $2,489 $62
Oakland $129,427 $10,786 $2,489 $62
Hayward $129,215 $10,768 $2,485 $62
Antioch $122,115 $10,176 $2,348 $59
Vallejo $119,232 $9,936 $2,293 $57

What Does a Nuclear Design Engineer Do?

Because nuclear engineering is a rapidly changing field, engineers need to study and update their skills throughout their careers.
Updated December 20, 2021
Navy engineer Jonathan Toebbe, attempted to sell secrets about nuclear submarines to a foreign power in exchange for cryptocurrency, at a courthouse in Martinsburg, West Virginia, Oct.
Updated November 17, 2021
FBI reports nuclear engineer and his wife tried to sell nuclear warship data to foreign government for payment in cryptocurrency.
Updated October 24, 2021
Nuclear engineers involved in design usually work in well-lit offices and often put in a 40-hour work week.
Updated October 13, 2021
Nuclear engineers research and develop the processes, instruments, and systems used to derive benefits from nuclear energy and radiation.
Updated September 30, 2021

Frequently Asked Questions About a Nuclear Design Engineer Salaries

What is the average of a Nuclear Design Engineer in California?

The Nuclear Design Engineer salary range is from $88,468 to $133,509, and the average Nuclear Design Engineer salary is $116,900/year in California. The Nuclear Design Engineer's salary will change in different locations.

Which location pays the highest Nuclear Design Engineer salary in the United States?

The Nuclear Design Engineer salary in San Jose, CA is $133,677 which is the highest in the US.

What kinds of reasons will influence the Nuclear Design Engineer's salary?

Besides the location, employees' education degree, related skills, and work experience also will influence the salary. Try to improve your skills and experience to get a higher salary for the position of Nuclear Design Engineer.

What is the growth rate of the Nuclear Design Engineer's salary?

If you are thinking of becoming a Nuclear Design Engineer or planning the next step in your career, find the detailed salary report of a Nuclear Design Engineer.