Illinois Median
$134,510
per year
Hourly Rate
$64.67
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+0% vs US median
US median $133,970
State Rank
#8 of 19
1,040 employed here
How much does a Nuclear Engineer make in Illinois?
A Nuclear Engineer working in Illinois earns a median salary of $134,510 per year, or about $64.67 per hour. That is 0% above the national median of $133,970 for this occupation.
Within Illinois, entry-level pay starts around $102,890 while the top 10% make $171,060 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $112,260 and $162,440 a year.
Nuclear Engineer salary range in Illinois
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $102,890 | $49.47 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $112,260 | $53.97 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $134,510 | $64.67 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $162,440 | $78.10 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $171,060 | $82.24 |
|
How Illinois compares
Illinois ranks 8th out of 19 states and territories for Nuclear Engineer pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Nuclear Engineer salary in other states
District of Columbia $195,190California $172,400New Mexico $164,300Maryland $157,960Massachusetts $145,760New York $141,200Florida $135,400Idaho $133,970Pennsylvania $133,250Alabama $132,570Georgia $132,440North Carolina $131,850Michigan $129,940Washington $129,480Virginia $128,890Texas $128,340South Carolina $126,570Maine $123,780
Working as a Nuclear Engineer in Illinois
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 Illinois pay ($134,510) 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 Illinois?
The median Nuclear Engineer salary in Illinois is $134,510 per year, or about $64.67 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $102,890 at the entry level to $171,060 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Illinois pay compare to the national average?
Illinois pays Nuclear Engineers about 0% more than the national median of $133,970. Illinois ranks 8th out of 19 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Illinois a good state for Nuclear Engineers?
Yes on pay — Illinois pays above the national median for this occupation, at $134,510 a year. About 1,040 Nuclear Engineers are employed in Illinois. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Illinois?
The highest-paying occupations in Illinois include Cardiologist ($517,850), Surgeon, All Other ($438,010), Dermatologist ($435,750), 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.