Nuclear Engineers Salary in Pittsburgh, PA
In Pittsburgh, PA, nuclear engineers earn $134,580 at the median — $64.7 an hour. The range runs from $81K at the entry level to $173K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 94.67), which stretches that salary to about $142,157 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,299/month, or 15.6% of estimated take-home pay.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $135K get you in Pittsburgh?
About nuclear engineers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Pittsburgh, PA
Entry-level nuclear engineers (10th percentile) start around $81K. Mid-career wages sit at $135K.Top earners bring in $173K or more - a $92K 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 Pittsburgh numbers change.
Related careers in Engineering
Frequently asked questions
How much do nuclear engineers make in Pittsburgh, PA?
The median is $134,580 a year - that works out to about $64.7 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $81,020, and experienced nuclear engineers can clear $173,150. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $135K enough to live in Pittsburgh?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $8,217/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,299/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 15.8% 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 Pittsburgh?
Pittsburgh has a Regional Price Parity of 94.67 (100 is the national average). That's below average - your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median nuclear engineers salary is worth about $142,157 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.