Nuclear Engineers Pay Range in California
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$109,990
- 25th Percentile — Junior$135,400
- 50th Percentile — Median$172,400
- 75th Percentile — Senior$176,390
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$207,740
Half of Nuclear Engineers in California earn more than $172,400. The top 10% make $207,740 or more, while entry-level workers start around $109,990.
Nuclear Engineers in California: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- California ranks 3rd of 19 states for Nuclear Engineers pay, at $160,980 per year (14.6% above the U.S. average of $140,420).
- 1,070 people work as Nuclear Engineers in California — 7.0% of all U.S. Nuclear Engineers jobs.
- Location quotient 0.60: Nuclear Engineers jobs are less concentrated in California than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $109,990; the top 10% earn over $207,740.
- Hourly equivalent: $77.39 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $180,480.
- Among engineering jobs in California, Computer Hardware Engineers pays the most ($190,590).
Nuclear Engineers Job Market in California
Key factors affecting compensation
California's key industries are Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture, and its job market is rated very strong. Nuclear Engineers here earn $160,980 on average, placing the state 3rd nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.42 (U.S. = 1.00), a California salary of $160,980 is roughly equivalent to $113,366 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, District of Columbia ($180,480), New Mexico ($180,290), Maryland ($155,410) are the closest alternatives for Nuclear Engineers weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Engineering Jobs in California
Related career salary benchmarks
- Computer Hardware Engineers $190,590/yr California +18.4% vs this role
- Aerospace Engineers $159,960/yr California 0.6% vs this role
- Electrical Engineers $151,180/yr California 6.1% vs this role
- Petroleum Engineers $147,940/yr California 8.1% vs this role
- Engineers All Other $139,670/yr California 13.2% vs this role
- Mechanical Engineers $136,660/yr California 15.1% vs this role
- Biomedical Engineers $132,400/yr California 17.8% vs this role
- Materials Engineers $131,090/yr California 18.6% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Nuclear Engineers salary in California?
The average Nuclear Engineers salary in California is $160,980 per year (median $172,400), which is 14.6% above the national average of $140,420.
How does California rank for Nuclear Engineers pay?
California ranks 3rd out of 19 states. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia ($180,480/yr).
How much do entry-level Nuclear Engineers make in California?
The lowest-paid 10% of Nuclear Engineers in California earn about $109,990 per year and the 25th percentile is $135,400.
How much do Nuclear Engineers make per hour in California?
About $77.39 per hour, based on the $160,980 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Nuclear Engineers work in California?
BLS counts 1,070 Nuclear Engineers jobs in California (OEWS May 2025).
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