Nuclear Engineer Salary in Pennsylvania (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
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 levelAnnual salaryHourly 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:

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 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.