Nuclear Engineers Salary in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
In Charleston-North Charleston, SC, nuclear engineers earn $111,580 at the median — $53.64 an hour. The range runs from $88K at the entry level to $137K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 100.96), that's roughly $110,519 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,787/month, or 25.3% of estimated take-home pay.
So what does $112K get you in Charleston-North Charleston?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Charleston-North Charleston’s Regional Price Parity (100.96). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
About nuclear engineers
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Charleston-North Charleston, SC
Entry-level nuclear engineers (10th percentile) start around $88K. Mid-career wages sit at $112K. Top earners bring in $137K or more, a $48K spread from bottom to top.
Nuclear Engineers pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $190K | +49% | 240 |
| California | $168K | +31% | 870 |
| New York | $159K | +25% | 160 |
| Maryland | $150K | +18% | 140 |
| Minnesota | $150K | +18% | 190 |
| Nebraska | $149K | +17% | N/A |
| Alabama | $144K | +13% | 270 |
| Massachusetts | $142K | +11% | 120 |
| New Mexico | $140K | +10% | 1,160 |
| Michigan | $138K | +8% | 180 |
| Pennsylvania | $135K | +6% | 480 |
| Idaho | $130K | +2% | 720 |
| Illinois | $130K | +2% | 950 |
| Georgia | $130K | +2% | 140 |
| Florida | $129K | +1% | 140 |
| North Carolina | $128K | +0% | 520 |
| Missouri | $126K | -1% | 130 |
| Washington | $125K | -2% | 1,370 |
| Ohio | $123K | -4% | 120 |
| Maine | $121K | -5% | 350 |
| Virginia | $109K | -15% | 1,300 |
| South Carolina | $108K | -15% | 1,280 |
| Texas | $100K | -22% | 1,470 |
| Wisconsin | $93K | -27% | N/A |
Showing 1–10 of 24 states
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track nuclear engineers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Charleston-North Charleston numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do nuclear engineers make in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
The median is $111,580 a year, that works out to about $54 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $88,290, and experienced nuclear engineers can clear $136,760. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $112K enough to live in Charleston-North Charleston?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,781/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,787/month, which eats 26.4% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a nuclear engineers salary go in Charleston-North Charleston?
Charleston-North Charleston has a Regional Price Parity of 100.96 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median nuclear engineers salary is worth about $110,519 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do nuclear engineers get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.