Nuclear Engineer Salary in North Carolina
Based on 460+ workers in North Carolina
Data year: 2025 · Last updated: October 2026
Median Annual Salary (NC)
$131,850
$63.39/hr
vs National Average
$140,937
-6.4% vs national median
Salary Range (10th–90th)
$96K – $166K
460 employed in North Carolina
Salary Distribution — Nuclear Engineer in North Carolina
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $96,300 |
| 25th percentile | $123,720 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $131,850 |
| 75th percentile | $161,310 |
| 90th percentile | $166,200 |
Top-Paying Industries for Nuclear Engineer (U.S.)
Which industries pay Nuclear Engineers the most — nationwide figures (industry-level data is not available by state). Nuclear Engineers in North Carolina tend to follow these industry patterns.
| Industry (U.S.) | Median Salary | Employed (U.S.) |
|---|---|---|
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | $143,600 | 6K |
| Administrative and Support Services | $137,920 | 950 |
| Utilities | $134,250 | 4K |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $131,690 | 340 |
| Government (excl. schools, hospitals & USPS) | $119,520 | 3K |
Source: U.S. BLS OEWS National Industry-Specific estimates, May 2025. National figures (not state-specific).
Historical Salary Trend — Nuclear Engineer in North Carolina vs National
| Year | Median Salary (North Carolina) |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $116,600 |
| 2023 | $116,020 |
| 2024 | $128,150 |
| 2025 | $131,850 |
| 2026 (projected) | $135,657 |
The latest year is a projection based on recent wage trends — BLS has not yet released that year’s data.
| Year | North Carolina Median | National Median |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $116,600 | $125,973 |
| 2023 | $116,020 | $126,302 |
| 2024 | $128,150 | $134,043 |
| 2025 | $131,850 | $140,937 |
| 2026 (projected) | $135,657 | $145,006 |
Nuclear Engineer Salary by Experience Level in North Carolina
| Experience Level | Years | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Junior | 0-2 yrs | $123,720 |
| Mid-level | 3-5 yrs | $131,850 |
| Senior | 6-9 yrs | $161,310 |
| Staff / Lead | 10+ yrs | $166,200 |
Nuclear Engineer Salary in Other States
Related Nuclear Engineer Salaries in North Carolina
How other high-demand occupations in North Carolina compare to Nuclear Engineer ($131,850 median).
| Occupation | Median Salary | vs Nuclear Engineer | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engineering Manager in NC | $167,840 | +27.3% | $80.69/hr |
| Aerospace Engineer in NC | $122,930 | -6.8% | $59.10/hr |
| Chemical Engineer in NC | $117,410 | -11.0% | $56.45/hr |
| Electrical Engineer in NC | $110,130 | -16.5% | $52.95/hr |
| Materials Engineer in NC | $104,240 | -20.9% | $50.12/hr |
| Civil Engineer in NC | $100,730 | -23.6% | $48.43/hr |
| Mechanical Engineer in NC | $100,720 | -23.6% | $48.42/hr |
| Environmental Engineer in NC | $99,440 | -24.6% | $47.81/hr |
| Industrial Engineer in NC | $99,310 | -24.7% | $47.75/hr |
| Biomedical Engineer in NC | $94,790 | -28.1% | $45.57/hr |
| Information Security Analyst in NC | $131,540 | -0.2% | $63.24/hr |
| Public Relations Manager in NC | $132,280 | +0.3% | $63.60/hr |