Nuclear Engineer salary in District of Columbia
Nuclear Engineers in District of Columbia earn a median of $195,190 a year ($93.84 an hour), based on BLS data for 230 workers.
Pay ranges from $128,960 for the lowest-paid 10% to $207,480 for the top 10%. That is 46% higher than the national median of $133,970. District of Columbia ranks 1st of 19 states for nuclear engineers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.33 nuclear engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 3.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $180,480, close to the median.
Pay range for nuclear engineers in District of Columbia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $128,960 | $62.00 |
| 25th percentile | $164,050 | $78.87 |
| Median | $195,190 | $93.84 |
| 75th percentile | $204,940 | $98.53 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $207,480 | $99.75 |
| Average (mean) | $180,480 | $86.77 |
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 | $16,265.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $8,132.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $7,507.31 |
| Weekly | $3,753.65 |
| Hourly | $93.84 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Nuclear Engineer salary in cities in District of Columbia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $180,360 | 840 |
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 District of Columbia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Engineers, All Other | $151,920 | $73.04 |
| Civil Engineer | $103,880 | $49.94 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $133,300 | $64.09 |
| Marine Engineers and Naval Architects | $172,330 | $82.85 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $157,040 | $75.50 |
| Electrical Engineer | $143,000 | $68.75 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $157,600 | $75.77 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $163,360 | $78.54 |
| Industrial Engineer | $103,300 | $49.66 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $100,920 | $48.52 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $102,040 | $49.06 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $97,880 | $47.06 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $97,620 | $46.93 |
| Landscape Architect | $85,100 | $40.91 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in District of Columbia
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 District of Columbia?
The median salary for nuclear engineers in District of Columbia is $195,190 a year, or $93.84 an hour. Pay ranges from $128,960 for the lowest-paid 10% to $207,480 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid nuclear engineers make in District of Columbia?
The top 10% of nuclear engineers in District of Columbia earn at least $207,480 a year. The top 25% earn $204,940 or more.
What is the starting pay for nuclear engineers in District of Columbia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $128,960 a year, and a quarter of nuclear engineers earn $164,050 or less.
How many nuclear engineers work in District of Columbia?
About 230 nuclear engineers are employed in District of Columbia, not counting the self-employed.