Nuclear Engineers Pay Range in Kentucky
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$81,445
- 25th Percentile — Junior$98,598
- 50th Percentile — Median$111,195
- 75th Percentile — Senior$137,192
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$149,887
Half of Nuclear Engineers in Kentucky earn more than $111,195. The top 10% make $149,887 or more, while entry-level workers start around $81,445.
Nuclear Engineers in Kentucky: Key Facts
Source: BLS national data adjusted for cost of living
- Kentucky ranks 49th of 51 states for Nuclear Engineers pay, at $116,549 per year (17.0% below the U.S. average of $140,420).
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $81,445; the top 10% earn over $149,887.
- Hourly equivalent: $56.03 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Hawaii at $217,651.
- Among engineering jobs in Kentucky, Aerospace Engineers pays the most ($133,200).
Nuclear Engineers Job Market in Kentucky
Key factors affecting compensation
Kentucky's key industries are Manufacturing, Healthcare, Agriculture, and its job market is rated moderate. Nuclear Engineers here earn $116,549 on average, placing the state 49th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.83 (U.S. = 1.00), a Kentucky salary of $116,549 is roughly equivalent to $140,420 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Indiana ($119,357), Kansas ($119,357), Oklahoma ($117,953) 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 Kentucky
Related career salary benchmarks
- Aerospace Engineers $133,200/yr Kentucky +14.3% vs this role
- Petroleum Engineers $130,434/yr Kentucky +11.9% vs this role
- Chemical Engineers $122,160/yr Kentucky +4.8% vs this role
- Environmental Engineers $113,090/yr Kentucky 3.0% vs this role
- Computer Hardware Engineers $109,310/yr Kentucky 6.2% vs this role
- Materials Engineers $106,970/yr Kentucky 8.2% vs this role
- Civil Engineers $105,310/yr Kentucky 9.6% vs this role
- Mechanical Engineers $103,320/yr Kentucky 11.4% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Nuclear Engineers salary in Kentucky?
The average Nuclear Engineers salary in Kentucky is $116,549 per year (median $111,195), which is 17.0% below the national average of $140,420.
How does Kentucky rank for Nuclear Engineers pay?
Kentucky ranks 49th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Hawaii ($217,651/yr).
How much do entry-level Nuclear Engineers make in Kentucky?
The lowest-paid 10% of Nuclear Engineers in Kentucky earn about $81,445 per year and the 25th percentile is $98,598.
How much do Nuclear Engineers make per hour in Kentucky?
About $56.03 per hour, based on the $116,549 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
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