Nuclear Engineers pay range in Washington
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $115,490 a year or less, while the top 10% make $204,940 or more. The middle half of nuclear engineers in Washington earn between $147,520 and $196,290.
- $115K10th
- $148K25th
- $180KMedian
- $196K75th
- $205K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $169,110 | $14,092 | $81.30 |
| Median | $180,360 | $15,030 | $86.71 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $147,520 | $12,293 | $70.92 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $196,290 | $16,358 | $94.37 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Nuclear Engineers pay in Washington vs. Washington, D.C. and the U.S.
Nuclear engineers in Washington earn 6% less than the Washington, D.C. average ($180,480) and 20% more than the U.S. average ($140,420). At the median the gap is +35% against the U.S. median of $133,970.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $169,110 | $180,360 | $115,490 | $204,940 | 840 |
| Washington, D.C. | $180,480 | $195,190 | $128,960 | $207,480 | 230 |
| United States | $140,420 | $133,970 | $92,960 | $196,290 | 15,280 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Nuclear Engineers salary after taxes in Washington
On the average salary of $169,110, a single filer in Washington takes home about $115,447 a year, or $9,621 a month and $4,440 every two weeks. Taxes take 32% of gross pay.
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area crosses state lines, so take-home pay depends on the state where you work:
| State | Per year | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Working in WV | $119,997 | $10,000 |
| Working in MD | $118,726 | $9,894 |
| Working in VA | $117,943 | $9,829 |
| Working in DC | $115,447 | $9,621 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
Is Washington a good place for nuclear engineers? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Washington area are 9% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 108.9), so the average $169,110 buys what about $155,312 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 2.5 times the median wage of all jobs in Washington ($71,060). A typical home costs $583,013, or 3.4 years of this average salary before tax.
Nuclear Engineers salary in nearby metro areas
- Richmond, VA$146,900
- Philadelphia, PA$138,720
- Virginia Beach, VA$115,140
- Pittsburgh, PA$133,820
- Raleigh, NC$139,660
- Cleveland, OH$138,080
Highest-paying cities for nuclear engineers
Knoxville, TN pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($185,740).
- Knoxville, TN$185,740
- Washington, DC$169,110
- Chattanooga, TN$164,940
- Seattle, WA$164,090
- Kennewick, WA$157,770
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Nuclear Engineers salary in Washington: questions
How much do nuclear engineers make an hour in Washington?
$81.30 an hour on average, and $86.71 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level nuclear engineers salary in Washington?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $115,490 a year and the 25th percentile is $147,520, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the nuclear engineers take-home pay in Washington?
About $115,447 a year ($9,621 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $169,110.
Do nuclear engineers earn more in Washington than elsewhere?
The average here is 20% more than the U.S. average for this job ($140,420).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 17-2161; area Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV (47900). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 0.6%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
- Job concentration: location quotient 2.71, this job is 2.7 times as concentrated as in the U.S. overall.
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