As of May 01, 2026, the average salary for a Nuclear Safety Engineer in the United States is $71,983 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $35.
However, a Nuclear Safety Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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A Nuclear Safety 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 Safety 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 S... Level Nuclear Safety Engineer | $71,449 |
| Environme... Level Nuclear Safety Engineer | $85,504 |
| Environme... Level Nuclear Safety Engineer | $103,211 |
| Environme... Level Nuclear Safety Engineer | $126,219 |
| Environme... Level Nuclear Safety Engineer | $154,141 |
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 Safety Engineers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Analysis | 8.24% |
| AutoCAD | 2.04% |
| Food Safety | 1.21% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
HVAC
|
$87,100 |
21%
|
|
Design Engineering
|
$76,302 |
6%
|
|
Electrical Engineering
|
$75,583 |
5%
|
|
System Design
|
$75,583 |
5%
|
|
Interpersonal Communication
|
$74,863 |
4%
|
|
Safety Standards
|
$74,863 |
4%
|
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Nuclear Safety Engineers enter the field with a Associate'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 Nuclear Safety Engineer with a Associate's Degree is between $63,541 and $66,357).
Nuclear Safety Engineer Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 1.1% |
| High School | 9.3% |
| Associates | 6.8% |
| Bachelors | 59.4% |
| Masters | 22.8% |
| Doctorate | 0.6% |
Understanding how a Nuclear Safety 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 May 01, 2026Salaries for a Nuclear Safety Engineer can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $66,240 in 2023 to around $66,052 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Nuclear Safety Engineer salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
View More
|
| 2023 | $66,240 |
| 2024 | $66,692 |
| 2025 | $66,052 |
| 2026 |
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|
| 2027 |
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|
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