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Nuclear Engineers: Entry-Level vs Senior Salary in Washington (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

How does Nuclear Engineers salary grow from entry-level to senior in Washington? State salary progression based on 2025 BLS data.

142% career growth potential

Data: BLS OEWS 2025 • Washington salary data • Updated 2026-05-19

Entry-Level (P10)
$83,100
$6,925/mo
Mid-Career (Median)
$129,480
$10,790/mo
Senior (P90)
$200,930
$16,744/mo

Washington vs National Average

Entry-Level (P10)
$83,100
National: $94,692
-12.2%
Mid-Career (Median)
$129,480
National: $140,937
-8.1%
Senior (P90)
$200,930
National: $183,118
+9.7%

Salary Progression: Entry-Level to Senior

The salary range for Nuclear Engineers in Washington spans from $83,100 at entry-level to $200,930 at senior level — a difference of $117,830 per year.

P10
$83K
P25
$109K
Median
$129K
P75
$153K
P90
$200K

Career Growth Premium: +142%

Senior Nuclear Engineerss in Washington earn $117,830 more per year than entry-level professionals.

Annual Difference
+$117,830
Monthly Difference
+$9,819
Hourly Difference
+$56.65
Growth Multiple
2.4x

Detailed Salary Breakdown by Experience Level

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

Experience Level Percentile Annual Salary Monthly Hourly
Entry-Level P10 $83,100 $6,925 $39.95
Early Career P25 $109,550 $9,129 $52.67
Mid-Career Median $129,480 $10,790 $62.25
Experienced P75 $153,960 $12,830 $74.02
Senior / Expert P90 $200,930 $16,744 $96.60
Key Insight

Nuclear Engineers in Washington shows strong salary progression over a career. Entry-level professionals start around $83,100, while senior-level professionals earn $200,930 — a 142% increase. The biggest salary jump typically occurs between mid-career ($129,480) and experienced level ($153,960), suggesting that specialization and leadership responsibilities are the key drivers of higher pay.

How Washington Compares to Other States

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

1
$242,730
Entry: $126K
+91%
2
$207,740
Entry: $109K
+89%
3
$207,480
Entry: $128K
+61%
4
$207,480
Entry: $103K
+100%
5
$204,940
Entry: $114K
+79%
6
$200,930
Entry: $83K
+142%
7
$192,350
Entry: $81K
+136%
8
$188,720
Entry: $90K
+110%
9
$176,840
Entry: $104K
+70%
10
$174,710
Entry: $67K
+158%

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Entry-level Nuclear Engineerss (10th percentile) earn approximately $83,100 per year, or $6,925 per month. Early-career professionals (25th percentile) earn around $109,550. Based on 2025 BLS OEWS data across all U.S. states.

How much does a senior Nuclear Engineers make?

Senior Nuclear Engineerss (90th percentile) earn approximately $200,930 per year. Experienced professionals (75th percentile) earn around $153,960. This represents a career premium of 142% over entry-level pay.

What is the salary growth potential for a Nuclear Engineers?

The career salary growth potential for Nuclear Engineerss is 142%. Entry-level professionals start at $83,100, while senior-level can earn up to $200,930 — a difference of $117,830 per year.

Which state pays the highest salary for senior Nuclear Engineerss?

The highest-paying state for senior Nuclear Engineerss is Washington, where 90th-percentile salaries reach $200,930 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) 2025 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.

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About This Data

Salary percentile data for Washington from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. 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 Washington.

Our Methodology · Data Sources · Source: BLS OEWS

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