Washington Median
$129,480
per year
Hourly Rate
$62.25
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-3% vs US median
US median $133,970
State Rank
#15 of 19
1,380 employed here
How much does a Nuclear Engineer make in Washington?
Nuclear Engineers in Washington take home a median of $129,480 annually — roughly $62.25 an hour — which runs 3% below the national median of $133,970.
Within Washington, entry-level pay starts around $83,100 while the top 10% make $200,930 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $109,550 and $153,960 a year.
Nuclear Engineer salary range in Washington
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $83,100 | $39.95 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $109,550 | $52.67 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $129,480 | $62.25 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $153,960 | $74.02 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $200,930 | $96.60 |
|
How Washington compares
Washington ranks 15th 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 $129,940Virginia $128,890Texas $128,340South Carolina $126,570Maine $123,780
Working as a Nuclear Engineer in Washington
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 Washington pay ($129,480) 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 Washington?
The median Nuclear Engineer salary in Washington is $129,480 per year, or about $62.25 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $83,100 at the entry level to $200,930 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Washington pay compare to the national average?
Washington pays Nuclear Engineers about 3% less than the national median of $133,970. Washington ranks 15th out of 19 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Washington a good state for Nuclear Engineers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $129,480 a year. About 1,380 Nuclear Engineers are employed in Washington. 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 Washington?
The highest-paying occupations in Washington include Cardiologist ($656,330), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($553,310), Dermatologist ($526,170), 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.