Nuclear Engineer salary in Knoxville, TN
Nuclear Engineers in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn a median of $179,660 a year ($86.38 an hour), based on BLS data for 240 workers.
Pay ranges from $96,700 for the lowest-paid 10% to $300,340 for the top 10%. That is 34% higher than the national median of $133,970. There are 0.56 nuclear engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 5.7× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $185,740, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for nuclear engineers in Knoxville, TN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $96,700 | $46.49 |
| 25th percentile | $119,420 | $57.41 |
| Median | $179,660 | $86.38 |
| 75th percentile | $247,960 | $119.21 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $300,340 | $144.39 |
| Average (mean) | $185,740 | $89.30 |
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 | $14,971.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $7,485.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,910 |
| Weekly | $3,455 |
| Hourly | $86.38 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $146,850 | 100 |
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 Knoxville, TN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $96,320 | $46.31 |
| Industrial Engineer | $95,750 | $46.04 |
| Engineers, All Other | $99,650 | $47.91 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $99,070 | $47.63 |
| Electrical Engineer | $108,590 | $52.21 |
| Environmental Engineer | $86,550 | $41.61 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $107,100 | $51.49 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $118,020 | $56.74 |
| Materials Engineer | $83,240 | $40.02 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $129,840 | $62.42 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $48,830 | $23.48 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $94,310 | $45.34 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $60,580 | $29.13 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $67,060 | $32.24 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Knoxville, TN
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 Knoxville, TN?
The median salary for nuclear engineers in the Knoxville, TN metro area is $179,660 a year, or $86.38 an hour. Pay ranges from $96,700 for the lowest-paid 10% to $300,340 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid nuclear engineers make in Knoxville, TN?
The top 10% of nuclear engineers in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn at least $300,340 a year. The top 25% earn $247,960 or more.
What is the starting pay for nuclear engineers in Knoxville, TN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $96,700 a year, and a quarter of nuclear engineers earn $119,420 or less.
How many nuclear engineers work in Knoxville, TN?
About 240 nuclear engineers are employed in the Knoxville, TN metro area, not counting the self-employed.