Nuclear Engineers Salary in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD
In Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD, nuclear engineers earn $136,590 at the median — $65.67 an hour. The range runs from $89K at the entry level to $171K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 102.55), that's roughly $133,194 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,810/month, or 21.4% of estimated take-home pay.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $137K get you in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington?
About nuclear engineers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD
Entry-level nuclear engineers (10th percentile) start around $89K. Mid-career wages sit at $137K.Top earners bring in $171K or more - a $82K 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 |
Track nuclear engineers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington numbers change.
Related careers in Engineering
Frequently asked questions
How much do nuclear engineers make in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD?
The median is $136,590 a year - that works out to about $65.67 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $88,770, and experienced nuclear engineers can clear $171,150. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $137K enough to live in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $8,327/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,810/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 21.7% 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 Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington?
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington has a Regional Price Parity of 102.55 (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 $133,194 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.