Nuclear Engineer salary in Kennewick-Richland, WA
Nuclear Engineers in the Kennewick-Richland, WA metro area earn a median of $156,460 a year ($75.22 an hour), based on BLS data for 230 workers.
Pay ranges from $105,530 for the lowest-paid 10% to $211,590 for the top 10%. That is 17% higher than the national median of $133,970. Pay here is 21% higher than the Washington statewide median of $129,480. There are 1.8 nuclear engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 18.0× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $157,770, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for nuclear engineers in Kennewick-Richland, WA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $105,530 | $50.73 |
| 25th percentile | $127,270 | $61.19 |
| Median | $156,460 | $75.22 |
| 75th percentile | $173,320 | $83.33 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $211,590 | $101.73 |
| Average (mean) | $157,770 | $75.85 |
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 | $13,038.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,519.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,017.69 |
| Weekly | $3,008.85 |
| Hourly | $75.22 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $161,050 | 330 |
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 Washington statewide figures.
Related jobs in Kennewick-Richland, WA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $121,370 | $58.35 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $124,780 | $59.99 |
| Electrical Engineer | $128,190 | $61.63 |
| Environmental Engineer | $140,060 | $67.34 |
| Chemical Engineer | $130,030 | $62.51 |
| Engineers, All Other | $142,920 | $68.71 |
| Industrial Engineer | $117,850 | $56.66 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $149,740 | $71.99 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $96,890 | $46.58 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $79,050 | $38.00 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $72,590 | $34.90 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $126,230 | $60.69 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $82,560 | $39.69 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $61,170 | $29.41 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Kennewick-Richland, WA
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 Kennewick-Richland, WA?
The median salary for nuclear engineers in the Kennewick-Richland, WA metro area is $156,460 a year, or $75.22 an hour. Pay ranges from $105,530 for the lowest-paid 10% to $211,590 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid nuclear engineers make in Kennewick-Richland, WA?
The top 10% of nuclear engineers in the Kennewick-Richland, WA metro area earn at least $211,590 a year. The top 25% earn $173,320 or more.
What is the starting pay for nuclear engineers in Kennewick-Richland, WA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $105,530 a year, and a quarter of nuclear engineers earn $127,270 or less.
How many nuclear engineers work in Kennewick-Richland, WA?
About 230 nuclear engineers are employed in the Kennewick-Richland, WA metro area, not counting the self-employed.