Nuclear Engineer salary in Washington
Nuclear Engineers in Washington earn a median of $129,480 a year ($62.25 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,380 workers.
Pay ranges from $83,100 for the lowest-paid 10% to $200,930 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $133,970. Washington ranks 15th of 19 states for nuclear engineers pay. There are 0.39 nuclear engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 4.0× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $136,540, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for nuclear engineers in Washington
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $83,100 | $39.95 |
| 25th percentile | $109,550 | $52.67 |
| Median | $129,480 | $62.25 |
| 75th percentile | $153,960 | $74.02 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $200,930 | $96.60 |
| Average (mean) | $136,540 | $65.64 |
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 | $10,790 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,395 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,980 |
| Weekly | $2,490 |
| Hourly | $62.25 |
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 Washington
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $161,050 | 330 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $156,460 | 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 |
Related jobs in Washington
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $110,000 | $52.89 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $110,430 | $53.09 |
| Electrical Engineer | $132,710 | $63.81 |
| Industrial Engineer | $129,050 | $62.04 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $158,370 | $76.14 |
| Engineers, All Other | $134,570 | $64.70 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $130,270 | $62.63 |
| Environmental Engineer | $125,460 | $60.32 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $169,120 | $81.31 |
| Materials Engineer | $139,840 | $67.23 |
| Chemical Engineer | $128,290 | $61.68 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $126,590 | $60.86 |
| Marine Engineers and Naval Architects | $109,550 | $52.67 |
| Petroleum Engineer | $134,800 | $64.81 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Washington
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 Washington?
The median salary for nuclear engineers in Washington is $129,480 a year, or $62.25 an hour. Pay ranges from $83,100 for the lowest-paid 10% to $200,930 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid nuclear engineers make in Washington?
The top 10% of nuclear engineers in Washington earn at least $200,930 a year. The top 25% earn $153,960 or more.
What is the starting pay for nuclear engineers in Washington?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $83,100 a year, and a quarter of nuclear engineers earn $109,550 or less.
How many nuclear engineers work in Washington?
About 1,380 nuclear engineers are employed in Washington, not counting the self-employed.