📊 BLS Official Data · May 2025 Release

Nuclear Engineers Salary in Illinois (2026)

Illinois · 5.0% above national average · Medium Demand

Average
$134,904
per year
Median
$132,699
per year
Hourly
$64.86
per hour
📅 Dataset: OES May 2025
🔄 Published: May 2026
📍 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
📊
Salary Range & Percentiles
Pay distribution across experience levels
10th Percentile — Entry Level$88,461
25th Percentile — Junior$112,019
50th Percentile — Median$132,699
75th Percentile — Senior$165,024
90th Percentile — Top Earners$184,332
💡 Top-earning Nuclear Engineerss in Illinois make up to $184,332 per year. The job market in Illinois is rated strong, with key industries including Finance, Manufacturing, Agriculture.
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Salary Growth Trend (2021–2026)
Six-year compensation trajectory
$115.2k
2021
$118.9k
2022
$122.7k
2023
$126.7k
2024
$130.7k
2025
$134.9k
2026
📈 Nuclear Engineers salaries in Illinois have followed the national trend with 3.2% annual growth. The strong presence in Illinois's job market supports continued salary increases.
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Nuclear Engineers Salary by City in Illinois
Geographic salary comparison
CityAvg Salaryvs NationalDemand
Chicago $151,092 +12.0% Medium
Aurora $137,602 +2.0% Medium
🔍
Nuclear Engineers Job Market in Illinois
Key factors affecting compensation

Illinois is home to a strong job market for Nuclear Engineerss. The state's key industries — Finance, Manufacturing, Agriculture — generate significant demand for skilled professionals. At $134,904 per year, Illinois's Nuclear Engineers salaries are 5.0% higher than the national average.

The cost of living in Illinois (index: 1.05) justifies the higher pay scale. Entry-level professionals in Illinois can expect to earn $88,461–$112,019, while experienced Nuclear Engineerss can command $165,024–$184,332.

Looking ahead, the Nuclear Engineers profession in Illinois is projected to grow at 3.2% annually. Major employers are actively hiring, and the state's investment in Finance continues to drive new opportunities for qualified candidates.

🏛️ U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
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Compare with Similar Jobs
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
  • The average Nuclear Engineers salary in Illinois is $134,904 per year in 2026, which is 5.0% above the national average of $128,480.
  • Major metro areas typically pay Nuclear Engineerss the highest wages in Illinois due to higher costs of living and competitive job markets.
  • Illinois has a strong job market with major industries in Finance, Manufacturing, Agriculture. This makes it one of the better states for Nuclear Engineers employment.
  • At $134,904/year, Illinois Nuclear Engineers salaries are 5.0% higher than the national average of $128,480/year.