Nuclear Engineers Salary in Raleigh-Cary, NC
In Raleigh-Cary, NC, nuclear engineers earn $135,040 at the median — $64.93 an hour. The range runs from $95K at the entry level to $161K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 98.16), that's roughly $137,571 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,750/month, or 20.9% 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 Raleigh-Cary?
About nuclear engineers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Raleigh-Cary, NC
Entry-level nuclear engineers (10th percentile) start around $95K. Mid-career wages sit at $135K.Top earners bring in $161K or more - a $66K 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 Raleigh-Cary numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do nuclear engineers make in Raleigh-Cary, NC?
The median is $135,040 a year - that works out to about $64.93 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $94,520, and experienced nuclear engineers can clear $160,930. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $135K enough to live in Raleigh-Cary?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $8,081/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,750/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 Raleigh-Cary?
Raleigh-Cary has a Regional Price Parity of 98.16 (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 $137,571 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.