Nuclear Engineer salary in Pittsburgh, PA
Nuclear Engineers in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area earn a median of $133,250 a year ($64.06 an hour), based on BLS data for 170 workers.
Pay ranges from $83,250 for the lowest-paid 10% to $177,920 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $133,970. Pay here is about the same as the Pennsylvania statewide median of $133,250. There are 0.15 nuclear engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $133,820, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for nuclear engineers in Pittsburgh, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $83,250 | $40.03 |
| 25th percentile | $98,590 | $47.40 |
| Median | $133,250 | $64.06 |
| 75th percentile | $163,510 | $78.61 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $177,920 | $85.54 |
| Average (mean) | $133,820 | $64.34 |
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 | $11,104.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,552.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,125 |
| Weekly | $2,562.50 |
| Hourly | $64.06 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $140,590 | 230 |
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 Pennsylvania statewide figures.
Related jobs in Pittsburgh, PA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $100,680 | $48.40 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $98,050 | $47.14 |
| Industrial Engineer | $98,190 | $47.21 |
| Electrical Engineer | $104,990 | $50.48 |
| Engineers, All Other | $112,420 | $54.05 |
| Environmental Engineer | $98,010 | $47.12 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $119,930 | $57.66 |
| Petroleum Engineer | $130,230 | $62.61 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $115,320 | $55.44 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $127,640 | $61.37 |
| Materials Engineer | $92,740 | $44.59 |
| Chemical Engineer | $152,290 | $73.22 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $128,390 | $61.73 |
| Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers | $74,900 | $36.01 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Pittsburgh, PA
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 Pittsburgh, PA?
The median salary for nuclear engineers in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area is $133,250 a year, or $64.06 an hour. Pay ranges from $83,250 for the lowest-paid 10% to $177,920 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid nuclear engineers make in Pittsburgh, PA?
The top 10% of nuclear engineers in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area earn at least $177,920 a year. The top 25% earn $163,510 or more.
What is the starting pay for nuclear engineers in Pittsburgh, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $83,250 a year, and a quarter of nuclear engineers earn $98,590 or less.
How many nuclear engineers work in Pittsburgh, PA?
About 170 nuclear engineers are employed in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.