Nuclear Engineer salary in Columbia, SC
Nuclear Engineers in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $128,340 a year ($61.70 an hour), based on BLS data for 120 workers.
Pay ranges from $98,930 for the lowest-paid 10% to $158,830 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $133,970. Pay here is 1% higher than the South Carolina statewide median of $126,570. There are 0.31 nuclear engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 3.1× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $136,940, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for nuclear engineers in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $98,930 | $47.56 |
| 25th percentile | $128,340 | $61.70 |
| Median | $128,340 | $61.70 |
| 75th percentile | $157,650 | $75.79 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $158,830 | $76.36 |
| Average (mean) | $136,940 | $65.84 |
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 | $10,695 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,347.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,936.15 |
| Weekly | $2,468.08 |
| Hourly | $61.70 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $132,440 | n/a |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $131,850 | 240 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $129,590 | n/a |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $124,690 | 150 |
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 |
See Nuclear Engineer pay in every state or the South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $94,520 | $45.44 |
| Industrial Engineer | $98,780 | $47.49 |
| Electrical Engineer | $101,320 | $48.71 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $102,280 | $49.18 |
| Engineers, All Other | $114,560 | $55.08 |
| Environmental Engineer | $96,140 | $46.22 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $88,380 | $42.49 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $129,830 | $62.42 |
| Materials Engineer | $121,290 | $58.31 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $72,780 | $34.99 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $57,640 | $27.71 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $63,960 | $30.75 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $65,400 | $31.44 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $45,370 | $21.81 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, SC
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 Columbia, SC?
The median salary for nuclear engineers in the Columbia, SC metro area is $128,340 a year, or $61.70 an hour. Pay ranges from $98,930 for the lowest-paid 10% to $158,830 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid nuclear engineers make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of nuclear engineers in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $158,830 a year. The top 25% earn $157,650 or more.
What is the starting pay for nuclear engineers in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $98,930 a year, and a quarter of nuclear engineers earn $128,340 or less.
How many nuclear engineers work in Columbia, SC?
About 120 nuclear engineers are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.