North Carolina Median
$131,850
per year
Hourly Rate
$63.39
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-2% vs US median
US median $133,970
State Rank
#13 of 19
460 employed here
How much does a Nuclear Engineer make in North Carolina?
Nuclear Engineers in North Carolina take home a median of $131,850 annually — roughly $63.39 an hour — which runs 2% below the national median of $133,970.
Within North Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $96,300 while the top 10% make $166,200 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $123,720 and $161,310 a year.
Nuclear Engineer salary range in North Carolina
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $96,300 | $46.30 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $123,720 | $59.48 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $131,850 | $63.39 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $161,310 | $77.55 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $166,200 | $79.90 |
|
How North Carolina compares
North Carolina ranks 13th 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 $135,400Illinois $134,510Idaho $133,970Pennsylvania $133,250Alabama $132,570Georgia $132,440Michigan $129,940Washington $129,480Virginia $128,890Texas $128,340South Carolina $126,570Maine $123,780
Working as a Nuclear Engineer in North Carolina
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 North Carolina pay ($131,850) 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 North Carolina?
The median Nuclear Engineer salary in North Carolina is $131,850 per year, or about $63.39 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $96,300 at the entry level to $166,200 for the top 10% of earners.
How does North Carolina pay compare to the national average?
North Carolina pays Nuclear Engineers about 2% less than the national median of $133,970. North Carolina ranks 13th out of 19 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is North Carolina a good state for Nuclear Engineers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $131,850 a year. About 460 Nuclear Engineers are employed in North Carolina. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in North Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in North Carolina include Surgeon, All Other ($398,410), Dermatologist ($367,350), Emergency Medicine Physician ($339,350), 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.