Nuclear Engineer salary in Wilmington, NC
Nuclear Engineers in the Wilmington, NC metro area earn a median of $129,710 a year ($62.36 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $96,300 for the lowest-paid 10% to $160,580 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $133,970. Pay here is 2% lower than the North Carolina statewide median of $131,850. There are 0.41 nuclear engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 4.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $129,880, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for nuclear engineers in Wilmington, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $96,300 | $46.30 |
| 25th percentile | $99,660 | $47.91 |
| Median | $129,710 | $62.36 |
| 75th percentile | $158,830 | $76.36 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $160,580 | $77.20 |
| Average (mean) | $129,880 | $62.44 |
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 | $10,809.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,404.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,988.85 |
| Weekly | $2,494.42 |
| Hourly | $62.36 |
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 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $130,300 | 70 |
| 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 Wilmington, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $94,450 | $45.41 |
| Industrial Engineer | $99,540 | $47.86 |
| Electrical Engineer | $105,130 | $50.54 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $101,100 | $48.61 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $92,650 | $44.54 |
| Engineers, All Other | $115,210 | $55.39 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $50,670 | $24.36 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $66,660 | $32.05 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $78,740 | $37.86 |
| Surveyor | $72,160 | $34.69 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $61,590 | $29.61 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $93,720 | $45.06 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $68,790 | $33.07 |
| Landscape Architect | $87,440 | $42.04 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Wilmington, 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 Wilmington, NC?
The median salary for nuclear engineers in the Wilmington, NC metro area is $129,710 a year, or $62.36 an hour. Pay ranges from $96,300 for the lowest-paid 10% to $160,580 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid nuclear engineers make in Wilmington, NC?
The top 10% of nuclear engineers in the Wilmington, NC metro area earn at least $160,580 a year. The top 25% earn $158,830 or more.
What is the starting pay for nuclear engineers in Wilmington, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $96,300 a year, and a quarter of nuclear engineers earn $99,660 or less.
How many nuclear engineers work in Wilmington, NC?
About 80 nuclear engineers are employed in the Wilmington, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.