Nuclear Engineer salary in Chattanooga, TN-GA
Nuclear Engineers in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn a median of $146,850 a year ($70.60 an hour), based on BLS data for 100 workers.
Pay ranges from $112,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $280,220 for the top 10%. That is 10% higher than the national median of $133,970. There are 0.38 nuclear engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 3.9× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $164,940, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for nuclear engineers in Chattanooga, TN-GA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $112,760 | $54.21 |
| 25th percentile | $126,190 | $60.67 |
| Median | $146,850 | $70.60 |
| 75th percentile | $176,700 | $84.95 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $280,220 | $134.72 |
| Average (mean) | $164,940 | $79.30 |
Half of nuclear engineers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $12,237.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,118.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,648.08 |
| Weekly | $2,824.04 |
| Hourly | $70.60 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Nuclear Engineer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Knoxville, TN | $179,660 | 240 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $132,440 | n/a |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $119,580 | 50 |
Highest-paying states for nuclear engineers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $195,190 |
| California | $172,400 |
| New Mexico | $164,300 |
| Maryland | $157,960 |
| Massachusetts | $145,760 |
| New York | $141,200 |
| Florida | $135,400 |
| Illinois | $134,510 |
| Idaho | $133,970 |
| Pennsylvania | $133,250 |
Related jobs in Chattanooga, TN-GA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineer | $99,410 | $47.79 |
| Civil Engineer | $95,630 | $45.97 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $106,660 | $51.28 |
| Electrical Engineer | $123,840 | $59.54 |
| Engineers, All Other | $101,200 | $48.66 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $119,180 | $57.30 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $133,060 | $63.97 |
| Materials Engineer | $103,360 | $49.69 |
| Environmental Engineer | $88,040 | $42.33 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $56,840 | $27.33 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $58,780 | $28.26 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $63,500 | $30.53 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $66,480 | $31.96 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $89,820 | $43.18 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Chattanooga, TN-GA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 17-2161. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a nuclear engineer make in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The median salary for nuclear engineers in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area is $146,850 a year, or $70.60 an hour. Pay ranges from $112,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $280,220 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid nuclear engineers make in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The top 10% of nuclear engineers in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn at least $280,220 a year. The top 25% earn $176,700 or more.
What is the starting pay for nuclear engineers in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $112,760 a year, and a quarter of nuclear engineers earn $126,190 or less.
How many nuclear engineers work in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
About 100 nuclear engineers are employed in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area, not counting the self-employed.