Nuclear Engineer salary in Illinois
Nuclear Engineers in Illinois earn a median of $134,510 a year ($64.67 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,040 workers.
Pay ranges from $102,890 for the lowest-paid 10% to $171,060 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $133,970. Illinois ranks 8th of 19 states for nuclear engineers pay. There are 0.17 nuclear engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.7× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $139,280, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for nuclear engineers in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $102,890 | $49.46 |
| 25th percentile | $112,260 | $53.97 |
| Median | $134,510 | $64.67 |
| 75th percentile | $162,440 | $78.10 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $171,060 | $82.24 |
| Average (mean) | $139,280 | $66.96 |
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 | $11,209.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,604.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,173.46 |
| Weekly | $2,586.73 |
| Hourly | $64.67 |
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 Illinois
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $134,510 | 710 |
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 Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineer | $100,540 | $48.34 |
| Civil Engineer | $99,760 | $47.96 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $102,680 | $49.37 |
| Electrical Engineer | $107,860 | $51.85 |
| Engineers, All Other | $111,930 | $53.81 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $133,220 | $64.05 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $129,390 | $62.21 |
| Environmental Engineer | $107,990 | $51.92 |
| Chemical Engineer | $121,560 | $58.44 |
| Materials Engineer | $126,620 | $60.87 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $89,520 | $43.04 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $111,370 | $53.54 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $108,940 | $52.38 |
| Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers | $107,690 | $51.77 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Illinois
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 Illinois?
The median salary for nuclear engineers in Illinois is $134,510 a year, or $64.67 an hour. Pay ranges from $102,890 for the lowest-paid 10% to $171,060 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid nuclear engineers make in Illinois?
The top 10% of nuclear engineers in Illinois earn at least $171,060 a year. The top 25% earn $162,440 or more.
What is the starting pay for nuclear engineers in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $102,890 a year, and a quarter of nuclear engineers earn $112,260 or less.
How many nuclear engineers work in Illinois?
About 1,040 nuclear engineers are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.