Nuclear Engineers Pay Range in Illinois
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$102,890
- 25th Percentile — Junior$112,260
- 50th Percentile — Median$134,510
- 75th Percentile — Senior$162,440
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$171,060
Half of Nuclear Engineers in Illinois earn more than $134,510. The top 10% make $171,060 or more, while entry-level workers start around $102,890.
Nuclear Engineers in Illinois: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Illinois ranks 6th of 19 states for Nuclear Engineers pay, at $139,280 per year (0.8% below the U.S. average of $140,420).
- 1,040 people work as Nuclear Engineers in Illinois — 6.8% of all U.S. Nuclear Engineers jobs.
- Location quotient 1.74: Nuclear Engineers jobs are more concentrated in Illinois than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $102,890; the top 10% earn over $171,060.
- Hourly equivalent: $66.96 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $180,480.
- Among engineering jobs in Illinois, Computer Hardware Engineers pays the most ($138,940).
Nuclear Engineers Job Market in Illinois
Key factors affecting compensation
Illinois's key industries are Finance, Manufacturing, Agriculture, and its job market is rated strong. Nuclear Engineers here earn $139,280 on average, placing the state 6th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.05 (U.S. = 1.00), a Illinois salary of $139,280 is roughly equivalent to $132,648 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
Other Engineering Jobs in Illinois
Related career salary benchmarks
- Computer Hardware Engineers $138,940/yr Illinois 0.2% vs this role
- Aerospace Engineers $125,610/yr Illinois 9.8% vs this role
- Chemical Engineers $123,570/yr Illinois 11.3% vs this role
- Materials Engineers $122,070/yr Illinois 12.4% vs this role
- Environmental Engineers $116,020/yr Illinois 16.7% vs this role
- Electrical Engineers $114,640/yr Illinois 17.7% vs this role
- Engineers All Other $112,600/yr Illinois 19.2% vs this role
- Mechanical Engineers $111,380/yr Illinois 20.0% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Nuclear Engineers salary in Illinois?
The average Nuclear Engineers salary in Illinois is $139,280 per year (median $134,510), which is 0.8% below the national average of $140,420.
How does Illinois rank for Nuclear Engineers pay?
Illinois ranks 6th out of 19 states. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia ($180,480/yr).
How much do entry-level Nuclear Engineers make in Illinois?
The lowest-paid 10% of Nuclear Engineers in Illinois earn about $102,890 per year and the 25th percentile is $112,260.
How much do Nuclear Engineers make per hour in Illinois?
About $66.96 per hour, based on the $139,280 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Nuclear Engineers work in Illinois?
BLS counts 1,040 Nuclear Engineers jobs in Illinois (OEWS May 2025).
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