Estimate · based on BLS national data

Nuclear Engineers in Tennessee

$123,570 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$59.41 per hour

▼ 12.0% below U.S. average40th of 51 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: Estimate (BLS national × cost of living) Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$123,570per year
Median$117,894per year
Hourly$59.41per hour
10th – 90th percentile$86,352 – $158,916per year

Nuclear Engineers Pay Range in Tennessee

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$86,352
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$104,538
  • 50th Percentile — Median$117,894
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$145,456
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$158,916

Half of Nuclear Engineers in Tennessee earn more than $117,894. The top 10% make $158,916 or more, while entry-level workers start around $86,352.

Nuclear Engineers in Tennessee: Key Facts

Source: BLS national data adjusted for cost of living

  • Tennessee ranks 40th of 51 states for Nuclear Engineers pay, at $123,570 per year (12.0% below the U.S. average of $140,420).
  • 720 people work as Nuclear Engineers in Tennessee — 4.7% of all U.S. Nuclear Engineers jobs.
  • Location quotient 2.24: Nuclear Engineers jobs are more concentrated in Tennessee than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $86,352; the top 10% earn over $158,916.
  • Hourly equivalent: $59.41 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is Hawaii at $217,651.
  • Among engineering jobs in Tennessee, Petroleum Engineers pays the most ($138,292).

Nuclear Engineers Job Market in Tennessee

Key factors affecting compensation

Tennessee's key industries are Healthcare, Manufacturing, Tourism, and its job market is rated strong. Nuclear Engineers here earn $123,570 on average, placing the state 40th nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 0.88 (U.S. = 1.00), a Tennessee salary of $123,570 is roughly equivalent to $140,420 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, South Carolina ($125,440), Louisiana ($123,570), Nebraska ($123,570) 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 Tennessee?

The average Nuclear Engineers salary in Tennessee is $123,570 per year (median $117,894), which is 12.0% below the national average of $140,420.

How does Tennessee rank for Nuclear Engineers pay?

Tennessee ranks 40th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Hawaii ($217,651/yr).

How much do entry-level Nuclear Engineers make in Tennessee?

The lowest-paid 10% of Nuclear Engineers in Tennessee earn about $86,352 per year and the 25th percentile is $104,538.

How much do Nuclear Engineers make per hour in Tennessee?

About $59.41 per hour, based on the $123,570 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Nuclear Engineers work in Tennessee?

BLS counts 720 Nuclear Engineers jobs in Tennessee (OEWS May 2025).

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