Nuclear Engineers Salary in Charleston, SC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Charleston-North Charleston, SC

Median annual salary $111,580 -12.5% vs national
Median hourly $53.64
10th percentile $88,290
90th percentile $136,760
Employed locally 140
National median $127,520

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Nuclear Engineers
in
Charleston, SC
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $88,290
    25th
    $88,290
    50th (median)
    $111,580
    75th
    $111,580
    90th
    $136,760

    Charleston economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $82,272 2023 • Census ACS
    Nuclear Engineers salary vs area income 136% Median Nuclear Engineers salary is 36% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Nuclear Engineers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    District of Columbia $189,800
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $189,770
    Knoxville, TN $174,380
    California $167,660
    New York $159,290
    Kennewick-Richland, WA $150,950

    Nearby metros — Nuclear Engineers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC $132,440
    Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC $128,150
    Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC $124,690
    Columbia, SC $117,840
    Wisconsin $93,080

    Related occupations in Charleston, SC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Civil Engineers $98,880
    Industrial Engineers $105,510
    Mechanical Engineers $107,140
    Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians $83,080
    Engineers, All Other $126,170
    Electrical Engineers $114,880

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Nuclear Engineers make per hour in Charleston?

    The median hourly wage for Nuclear Engineers in Charleston, SC is $53.64, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $76.82 or more per hour.

    Is Charleston above or below average for Nuclear Engineers salaries?

    The median Nuclear Engineers salary in Charleston, SC is 12.5% below the national median of $127,520. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Nuclear Engineers in Charleston?

    Entry-level Nuclear Engineers (10th percentile) earn around $88,290 per year in Charleston, SC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $88,290.