Nuclear Engineers: Entry-Level vs Senior Salary in District of Columbia (2024)

How does Nuclear Engineers salary grow from entry-level to senior in District of Columbia? State salary progression based on 2024 BLS data.

94% career growth potential

Data: BLS OEWS 2024 • District of Columbia salary data • Updated 2026-04-06

Entry-Level (P10)
$100,670
$8,389/mo
Mid-Career (Median)
$174,390
$14,532/mo
Senior (P90)
$195,000
$16,250/mo

District of Columbia vs National Average

Entry-Level (P10)
$100,670
National: $83,052
+21.2%
Mid-Career (Median)
$174,390
National: $126,302
+38.1%
Senior (P90)
$195,000
National: $169,936
+14.7%

Salary Progression: Entry-Level to Senior

The salary range for Nuclear Engineers in District of Columbia spans from $100,670 at entry-level to $195,000 at senior level — a difference of $94,330 per year.

P10
$100K
P25
$150K
Median
$174K
P75
$183K
P90
$195K

Career Growth Premium: +94%

Senior Nuclear Engineerss in District of Columbia earn $94,330 more per year than entry-level professionals.

Annual Difference
+$94,330
Monthly Difference
+$7,861
Hourly Difference
+$45.35
Growth Multiple
1.9x

Detailed Salary Breakdown by Experience Level

Complete percentile breakdown showing how Nuclear Engineers salary increases with experience in District of Columbia, from entry-level (10th percentile) to senior (90th percentile).

Experience Level Percentile Annual Salary Monthly Hourly
Entry-Level P10 $100,670 $8,389 $48.40
Early Career P25 $150,260 $12,522 $72.24
Mid-Career Median $174,390 $14,532 $83.84
Experienced P75 $183,500 $15,292 $88.22
Senior / Expert P90 $195,000 $16,250 $93.75
Key Insight

Nuclear Engineers in District of Columbia has a moderate salary progression with a 94% growth from entry-level ($100,670) to senior ($195,000). While the growth potential is steady, professionals looking to maximize earnings may benefit from specialization, advanced certifications, or gaining experience in higher-paying states. The gap between median ($174,390) and P90 ($195,000) shows there is still room for meaningful growth beyond mid-career.

How District of Columbia Compares to Other States

Where does District of Columbia rank for Nuclear Engineers senior-level salaries? Compare District of Columbia's P90 pay to other top-paying states.

1
$217,140
Entry: $84K
+156%
2
$195,000
Entry: $100K
+94%
3
$193,870
Entry: $94K
+106%
4
$191,620
Entry: $62K
+207%
5
$188,950
Entry: $81K
+132%
6
$184,910
Entry: $98K
+87%
7
$174,560
Entry: $85K
+105%
8
$172,440
Entry: $82K
+109%
9
$166,400
Entry: $90K
+83%
10
$164,070
Entry: $78K
+109%

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the entry-level salary for a Nuclear Engineers?

Entry-level Nuclear Engineerss (10th percentile) earn approximately $100,670 per year, or $8,389 per month. Early-career professionals (25th percentile) earn around $150,260. Based on 2024 BLS OEWS data across all U.S. states.

How much does a senior Nuclear Engineers make?

Senior Nuclear Engineerss (90th percentile) earn approximately $195,000 per year. Experienced professionals (75th percentile) earn around $183,500. This represents a career premium of 94% over entry-level pay.

What is the salary growth potential for a Nuclear Engineers?

The career salary growth potential for Nuclear Engineerss is 94%. Entry-level professionals start at $100,670, while senior-level can earn up to $195,000 — a difference of $94,330 per year.

Which state pays the highest salary for senior Nuclear Engineerss?

The highest-paying state for senior Nuclear Engineerss is District of Columbia, where 90th-percentile salaries reach $195,000 per year. See the full state-by-state comparison above.

How are entry-level and senior Nuclear Engineers salaries determined?

We use BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 2024 data. The 10th percentile (P10) approximates entry-level pay — the salary that 90% of workers earn more than. The 90th percentile (P90) approximates senior/expert-level pay — only 10% of workers earn above this threshold. National averages are computed across all reporting U.S. states.

Related Salary Pages

About This Data

Salary percentile data for District of Columbia from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024. P10 approximates entry-level compensation; P90 approximates senior/expert-level compensation. State averages differ from national averages due to regional variations in cost of living, demand, and workforce composition. Actual salaries vary based on employer, experience, education, certifications, and specific location within District of Columbia.

Our Methodology · Data Sources · Source: BLS OEWS

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