Nuclear Engineer salary in North Carolina
Nuclear Engineers in North Carolina earn a median of $131,850 a year ($63.39 an hour), based on BLS data for 460 workers.
Pay ranges from $96,300 for the lowest-paid 10% to $166,200 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $133,970. North Carolina ranks 13th of 19 states for nuclear engineers pay. There are 0.09 nuclear engineers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $136,120, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for nuclear engineers in North Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $96,300 | $46.30 |
| 25th percentile | $123,720 | $59.48 |
| Median | $131,850 | $63.39 |
| 75th percentile | $161,310 | $77.55 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $166,200 | $79.91 |
| Average (mean) | $136,120 | $65.44 |
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 | $10,987.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,493.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,071.15 |
| Weekly | $2,535.58 |
| Hourly | $63.39 |
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 North Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $131,850 | 240 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $130,300 | 70 |
| Wilmington, NC | $129,710 | 80 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $110,510 | 1,260 |
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 North Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $100,730 | $48.43 |
| Industrial Engineer | $99,310 | $47.74 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $100,720 | $48.42 |
| Electrical Engineer | $110,130 | $52.95 |
| Engineers, All Other | $112,450 | $54.06 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $115,920 | $55.73 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $134,670 | $64.74 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $94,790 | $45.57 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $122,930 | $59.10 |
| Materials Engineer | $104,240 | $50.11 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $106,800 | $51.34 |
| Chemical Engineer | $117,410 | $56.45 |
| Environmental Engineer | $99,440 | $47.81 |
| Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers | $70,310 | $33.80 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in North Carolina
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 North Carolina?
The median salary for nuclear engineers in North Carolina is $131,850 a year, or $63.39 an hour. Pay ranges from $96,300 for the lowest-paid 10% to $166,200 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid nuclear engineers make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of nuclear engineers in North Carolina earn at least $166,200 a year. The top 25% earn $161,310 or more.
What is the starting pay for nuclear engineers in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $96,300 a year, and a quarter of nuclear engineers earn $123,720 or less.
How many nuclear engineers work in North Carolina?
About 460 nuclear engineers are employed in North Carolina, not counting the self-employed.