Nuclear Engineers: Entry-Level vs Senior Salary in North Carolina (2024)

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

109% career growth potential

Data: BLS OEWS 2024 • North Carolina salary data • Updated 2026-04-06

Entry-Level (P10)
$78,660
$6,555/mo
Mid-Career (Median)
$116,020
$9,668/mo
Senior (P90)
$164,070
$13,672/mo

North Carolina vs National Average

Entry-Level (P10)
$78,660
National: $83,052
-5.3%
Mid-Career (Median)
$116,020
National: $126,302
-8.1%
Senior (P90)
$164,070
National: $169,936
-3.5%

Salary Progression: Entry-Level to Senior

The salary range for Nuclear Engineers in North Carolina spans from $78,660 at entry-level to $164,070 at senior level — a difference of $85,410 per year.

P10
$78K
P25
$96K
Median
$116K
P75
$134K
P90
$164K

Career Growth Premium: +109%

Senior Nuclear Engineerss in North Carolina earn $85,410 more per year than entry-level professionals.

Annual Difference
+$85,410
Monthly Difference
+$7,118
Hourly Difference
+$41.06
Growth Multiple
2.1x

Detailed Salary Breakdown by Experience Level

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

Experience Level Percentile Annual Salary Monthly Hourly
Entry-Level P10 $78,660 $6,555 $37.82
Early Career P25 $96,240 $8,020 $46.27
Mid-Career Median $116,020 $9,668 $55.78
Experienced P75 $134,440 $11,203 $64.63
Senior / Expert P90 $164,070 $13,672 $78.88
Key Insight

Nuclear Engineers in North Carolina has a moderate salary progression with a 109% growth from entry-level ($78,660) to senior ($164,070). 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 ($116,020) and P90 ($164,070) shows there is still room for meaningful growth beyond mid-career.

How North Carolina Compares to Other States

Where does North Carolina rank for Nuclear Engineers senior-level salaries? Compare North Carolina'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 $78,660 per year, or $6,555 per month. Early-career professionals (25th percentile) earn around $96,240. 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 $164,070 per year. Experienced professionals (75th percentile) earn around $134,440. This represents a career premium of 109% over entry-level pay.

What is the salary growth potential for a Nuclear Engineers?

The career salary growth potential for Nuclear Engineerss is 109%. Entry-level professionals start at $78,660, while senior-level can earn up to $164,070 — a difference of $85,410 per year.

Which state pays the highest salary for senior Nuclear Engineerss?

The highest-paying state for senior Nuclear Engineerss is North Carolina, where 90th-percentile salaries reach $164,070 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 North Carolina 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 North Carolina.

Our Methodology · Data Sources · Source: BLS OEWS

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