Nuclear Engineer Salary in District of Columbia (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Nuclear Engineers in District of Columbia, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
District of Columbia Median
$195,190
per year
Hourly Rate
$93.84
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+46% vs US median
US median $133,970
State Rank
#1 of 19
230 employed here

How much does a Nuclear Engineer make in District of Columbia?

Nuclear Engineers in District of Columbia take home a median of $195,190 annually — roughly $93.84 an hour — which runs 46% above the national median of $133,970.

Within District of Columbia, entry-level pay starts around $128,960 while the top 10% make $207,480 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $164,050 and $204,940 a year.

Nuclear Engineer salary range in District of Columbia

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$128,960$62.00
25th percentile (early career)$164,050$78.87
50th percentile (median)$195,190$93.84
75th percentile (experienced)$204,940$98.53
90th percentile (top earners)$207,480$99.75

How District of Columbia compares

District of Columbia ranks 1st out of 19 states and territories for Nuclear Engineer pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1District of Columbia$195,190
2California$172,400
3New Mexico$164,300
4Maryland$157,960
5Massachusetts$145,760

Working as a Nuclear Engineer in District of Columbia

Nationally, about 15,000 people work as Nuclear Engineers in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.

Considering a move? Compare District of Columbia pay ($195,190) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Nuclear Engineer make in District of Columbia?
The median Nuclear Engineer salary in District of Columbia is $195,190 per year, or about $93.84 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $128,960 at the entry level to $207,480 for the top 10% of earners.
How does District of Columbia pay compare to the national average?
District of Columbia pays Nuclear Engineers about 46% more than the national median of $133,970. District of Columbia ranks 1st out of 19 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is District of Columbia a good state for Nuclear Engineers?
Yes on pay — District of Columbia pays above the national median for this occupation, at $195,190 a year. About 230 Nuclear Engineers are employed in District of Columbia. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in District of Columbia?
The highest-paying occupations in District of Columbia include Neurologist ($332,000), Emergency Medicine Physician ($318,200), Podiatrist ($265,740), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Nuclear Engineer salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.