Nuclear Engineer salary in Raleigh-Cary, NC
Nuclear Engineers in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area earn a median of $130,300 a year ($62.65 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $97,250 for the lowest-paid 10% to $166,200 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $133,970. Pay here is 1% lower than the North Carolina statewide median of $131,850. There are 0.09 nuclear engineers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $139,660, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for nuclear engineers in Raleigh-Cary, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $97,250 | $46.76 |
| 25th percentile | $129,550 | $62.29 |
| Median | $130,300 | $62.65 |
| 75th percentile | $161,530 | $77.66 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $166,200 | $79.91 |
| Average (mean) | $139,660 | $67.14 |
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 | $10,858.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,429.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,011.54 |
| Weekly | $2,505.77 |
| Hourly | $62.65 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $131,850 | 240 |
| 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 |
See Nuclear Engineer pay in every state or the North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Raleigh-Cary, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $101,440 | $48.77 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $100,000 | $48.08 |
| Industrial Engineer | $104,030 | $50.01 |
| Electrical Engineer | $130,240 | $62.62 |
| Engineers, All Other | $104,910 | $50.44 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $162,800 | $78.27 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $130,540 | $62.76 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $98,630 | $47.42 |
| Environmental Engineer | $102,980 | $49.51 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $115,050 | $55.31 |
| Chemical Engineer | $111,210 | $53.47 |
| Materials Engineer | $104,310 | $50.15 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $49,150 | $23.63 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $60,720 | $29.19 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Raleigh-Cary, NC
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 Raleigh-Cary, NC?
The median salary for nuclear engineers in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area is $130,300 a year, or $62.65 an hour. Pay ranges from $97,250 for the lowest-paid 10% to $166,200 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid nuclear engineers make in Raleigh-Cary, NC?
The top 10% of nuclear engineers in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area earn at least $166,200 a year. The top 25% earn $161,530 or more.
What is the starting pay for nuclear engineers in Raleigh-Cary, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $97,250 a year, and a quarter of nuclear engineers earn $129,550 or less.
How many nuclear engineers work in Raleigh-Cary, NC?
About 70 nuclear engineers are employed in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.