How does Nuclear Engineers salary grow from entry-level to senior in Illinois? State salary progression based on 2024 BLS data.
105% career growth potentialData: BLS OEWS 2024 • Illinois salary data • Updated 2026-04-06
The salary range for Nuclear Engineers in Illinois spans from $79,470 at entry-level to $163,160 at senior level — a difference of $83,690 per year.
Senior Nuclear Engineerss in Illinois earn $83,690 more per year than entry-level professionals.
Complete percentile breakdown showing how Nuclear Engineers salary increases with experience in Illinois, from entry-level (10th percentile) to senior (90th percentile).
| Experience Level | Percentile | Annual Salary | Monthly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | P10 | $79,470 | $6,622 | $38.21 |
| Early Career | P25 | $98,600 | $8,217 | $47.40 |
| Mid-Career | Median | $121,550 | $10,129 | $58.44 |
| Experienced | P75 | $130,490 | $10,874 | $62.74 |
| Senior / Expert | P90 | $163,160 | $13,597 | $78.44 |
Nuclear Engineers in Illinois has a moderate salary progression with a 105% growth from entry-level ($79,470) to senior ($163,160). 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 ($121,550) and P90 ($163,160) shows there is still room for meaningful growth beyond mid-career.
Where does Illinois rank for Nuclear Engineers senior-level salaries? Compare Illinois's P90 pay to other top-paying states.
Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.
Entry-level Nuclear Engineerss (10th percentile) earn approximately $79,470 per year, or $6,622 per month. Early-career professionals (25th percentile) earn around $98,600. Based on 2024 BLS OEWS data across all U.S. states.
Senior Nuclear Engineerss (90th percentile) earn approximately $163,160 per year. Experienced professionals (75th percentile) earn around $130,490. This represents a career premium of 105% over entry-level pay.
The career salary growth potential for Nuclear Engineerss is 105%. Entry-level professionals start at $79,470, while senior-level can earn up to $163,160 — a difference of $83,690 per year.
The highest-paying state for senior Nuclear Engineerss is Illinois, where 90th-percentile salaries reach $163,160 per year. See the full state-by-state comparison above.
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.
Salary percentile data for Illinois 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 Illinois.
Our Methodology · Data Sources · Source: BLS OEWS