Pennsylvania Median
$133,250
per year
Hourly Rate
$64.06
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-1% vs US median
US median $133,970
State Rank
#10 of 19
340 employed here
How much does a Nuclear Engineer make in Pennsylvania?
Nuclear Engineers in Pennsylvania take home a median of $133,250 annually — roughly $64.06 an hour — which runs 1% below the national median of $133,970.
Within Pennsylvania, entry-level pay starts around $83,250 while the top 10% make $167,110 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $103,680 and $162,100 a year.
Nuclear Engineer salary range in Pennsylvania
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $83,250 | $40.02 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $103,680 | $49.85 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $133,250 | $64.06 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $162,100 | $77.93 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $167,110 | $80.34 |
|
How Pennsylvania compares
Pennsylvania ranks 10th 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 $133,970Alabama $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 Pennsylvania
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 Pennsylvania pay ($133,250) 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 Pennsylvania?
The median Nuclear Engineer salary in Pennsylvania is $133,250 per year, or about $64.06 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $83,250 at the entry level to $167,110 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Pennsylvania pay compare to the national average?
Pennsylvania pays Nuclear Engineers about 1% less than the national median of $133,970. Pennsylvania ranks 10th out of 19 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Pennsylvania a good state for Nuclear Engineers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $133,250 a year. About 340 Nuclear Engineers are employed in Pennsylvania. 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 Pennsylvania?
The highest-paying occupations in Pennsylvania include Cardiologist ($579,120), Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons ($553,740), Anesthesiologist ($461,390), 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.