Nuclear Engineers Salary in Chicago, IL-IN

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN

Median annual salary $130,160 +2.1% vs national
Median hourly $62.58
10th percentile $102,500
90th percentile $174,080
Employed locally 750
National median $127,520

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Nuclear Engineers
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Chicago, IL-IN
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $102,500
    25th
    $102,560
    50th (median)
    $130,160
    75th
    $159,420
    90th
    $174,080

    Chicago economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $88,850 2023 • Census ACS
    Nuclear Engineers salary vs area income 146% Median Nuclear Engineers salary is 46% 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
    Knoxville, TN $174,380
    Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $136,590
    Illinois $130,160
    Huntsville, AL $125,870
    Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC $124,690
    Wilmington, NC $123,200

    Related occupations in Chicago, IL-IN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Industrial Engineers $100,940
    Civil Engineers $100,280
    Mechanical Engineers $100,390
    Architects, Except Landscape and Naval $79,240
    Electrical Engineers $109,010
    Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians $76,590

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Nuclear Engineers make per hour in Chicago?

    The median hourly wage for Nuclear Engineers in Chicago, IL-IN is $62.58, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $91.73 or more per hour.

    Is Chicago above or below average for Nuclear Engineers salaries?

    The median Nuclear Engineers salary in Chicago, IL-IN is 2.1% above 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 Chicago?

    Entry-level Nuclear Engineers (10th percentile) earn around $102,500 per year in Chicago, IL-IN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $102,560.