South Carolina Median
$126,570
per year
Hourly Rate
$60.85
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-6% vs US median
US median $133,970
State Rank
#18 of 19
1,440 employed here
How much does a Nuclear Engineer make in South Carolina?
Nuclear Engineers in South Carolina take home a median of $126,570 annually — roughly $60.85 an hour — which runs 6% below the national median of $133,970.
Within South Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $83,970 while the top 10% make $159,740 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $104,730 and $138,250 a year.
Nuclear Engineer salary range in South Carolina
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $83,970 | $40.37 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $104,730 | $50.35 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $126,570 | $60.85 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $138,250 | $66.47 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $159,740 | $76.80 |
|
How South Carolina compares
South Carolina ranks 18th 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 $132,440North Carolina $131,850Michigan $129,940Washington $129,480Virginia $128,890Texas $128,340Maine $123,780
Working as a Nuclear Engineer in South 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 South Carolina pay ($126,570) 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 South Carolina?
The median Nuclear Engineer salary in South Carolina is $126,570 per year, or about $60.85 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $83,970 at the entry level to $159,740 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Carolina pay compare to the national average?
South Carolina pays Nuclear Engineers about 6% less than the national median of $133,970. South Carolina ranks 18th out of 19 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Carolina a good state for Nuclear Engineers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $126,570 a year. About 1,440 Nuclear Engineers are employed in South 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 South Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in South Carolina include General Internal Medicine Physician ($359,500), Neurologist ($352,680), Emergency Medicine Physician ($341,960), 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.