Nuclear Engineers Salary in California
Nuclear Engineers in California earn a median annual wage of $172,400 —28.7% above the national median of $133,970. That ranks CA #2 of 19 covered states and territories for this occupation.
Wage distribution
How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.
Employment is only 0.60× as concentrated as the national average — this occupation is relatively scarce in California.
Highest-paying states for nuclear engineers
All 19 states ranked by median annual wage. California is highlighted.
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | $195,190 | $93.84 | 230 | 3.32 |
| 2 | California | $172,400 | $82.88 | 1,070 | 0.60 |
| 3 | New Mexico | $164,300 | $78.99 | 500 | 5.88 |
| 4 | Maryland | $157,960 | $75.94 | 180 | 0.67 |
| 5 | Massachusetts | $145,760 | $70.08 | 210 | 0.60 |
| 6 | New York | $141,200 | $67.88 | 150 | 0.16 |
| 7 | Florida | $135,400 | $65.10 | 120 | 0.12 |
| 8 | Illinois | $134,510 | $64.67 | 1,040 | 1.74 |
| 9 | Idaho | $133,970 | $64.41 | — | — |
| 10 | Pennsylvania | $133,250 | $64.06 | 340 | 0.58 |
Related occupations in California
Occupations in the same job family, compared within California.
| Occupation | California median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineers | $122,500 | $100,840 |
| Industrial Engineers | $124,600 | $102,440 |
| Mechanical Engineers | $130,900 | $104,110 |
| Electrical Engineers | $144,040 | $120,630 |
| Engineers, All Other | $130,850 | $122,930 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $108,540 | $99,280 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do nuclear engineers make in California?
The median annual wage for nuclear engineers in California is $172,400, or $82.88 per hour. That is 28.7% above the national median of $133,970.
What is the entry-level nuclear engineers salary in California?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $109,990 per year ($52.88/hour). The 25th percentile is $135,400.
How many people work as nuclear engineers in California?
About 1,070 people work in this occupation in California, or 0.1 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is California a good state for nuclear engineers?
California ranks #2 of 19 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment is only 0.60x as concentrated as the national average, so this occupation is relatively scarce in California.
Which state pays nuclear engineers the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median wage at $195,190 per year, followed by California ($172,400) and New Mexico ($164,300).