BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Nuclear Engineers in District of Columbia

$180,480 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$86.77 per hour

▲ 28.5% above U.S. average1st of 19 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: OEWS May 2025 Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$180,480per year
Median$195,190per year
Hourly$86.77per hour
10th – 90th percentile$128,960 – $207,480per year

Nuclear Engineers Pay Range in District of Columbia

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$128,960
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$164,050
  • 50th Percentile — Median$195,190
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$204,940
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$207,480

Half of Nuclear Engineers in District of Columbia earn more than $195,190. The top 10% make $207,480 or more, while entry-level workers start around $128,960.

Nuclear Engineers in District of Columbia: Key Facts

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • District of Columbia ranks 1st of 19 states for Nuclear Engineers pay, at $180,480 per year (28.5% above the U.S. average of $140,420).
  • 230 people work as Nuclear Engineers in District of Columbia — 1.5% of all U.S. Nuclear Engineers jobs.
  • Location quotient 3.32: Nuclear Engineers jobs are more concentrated in District of Columbia than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $128,960; the top 10% earn over $207,480.
  • Hourly equivalent: $86.77 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • Among engineering jobs in District of Columbia, Computer Hardware Engineers pays the most ($162,180).

Nuclear Engineers Job Market in District of Columbia

Key factors affecting compensation

District of Columbia's key industries are Government, Finance, Technology, and its job market is rated very strong. Nuclear Engineers here earn $180,480 on average, placing the state 1st nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 1.52 (U.S. = 1.00), a District of Columbia salary of $180,480 is roughly equivalent to $118,737 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, New Mexico ($180,290), California ($160,980), 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

Related career salary benchmarks

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this salary

What is the average Nuclear Engineers salary in District of Columbia?

The average Nuclear Engineers salary in District of Columbia is $180,480 per year (median $195,190), which is 28.5% above the national average of $140,420.

How does District of Columbia rank for Nuclear Engineers pay?

District of Columbia ranks 1st out of 19 states. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia ($180,480/yr).

How much do entry-level Nuclear Engineers make in District of Columbia?

The lowest-paid 10% of Nuclear Engineers in District of Columbia earn about $128,960 per year and the 25th percentile is $164,050.

How much do Nuclear Engineers make per hour in District of Columbia?

About $86.77 per hour, based on the $180,480 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Nuclear Engineers work in District of Columbia?

BLS counts 230 Nuclear Engineers jobs in District of Columbia (OEWS May 2025).

Explore more salary data