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Nuclear Engineers Salary in California
Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How much do Nuclear Engineers make in California?
Last updated: 2025 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
$172,400
Median Annual Salary
▲
+2.8% vs 2024
$160,980
Mean Salary
$172,400
Median Salary
$82.88
Hourly Rate
1,070 people work as Nuclear Engineers in California
Nuclear Engineers salary by percentile in California
BLS-reported salary distribution — from entry-level (10th percentile) to top earners (90th percentile).
Nuclear Engineers in California earn a median salary of $172,400 per year ($14,366/month).
This is 22.3% above the national average of $140,937.
California ranks #2 out of 19 states for Nuclear Engineers pay.
Approximately 1,070 people work in this occupation across California.
Salaries increased by 2.8% compared to 2024.
About This Job: Nuclear Engineers
Conduct research on nuclear engineering projects or apply principles and theory of nuclear science to problems concerned with release, control, and use of nuclear energy and nuclear waste disposal.
Top Skills
Science
4.12
Reading Comprehension
4.0
Active Listening
4.0
Critical Thinking
4.0
Monitoring
4.0
Key Knowledge Areas
Engineering and Technology
4.85
Mathematics
4.52
Physics
4.48
Design
3.85
Chemistry
3.7
Typical Education: Bachelor's Degree
(85.2% of workers)
Salaries for Nuclear Engineers in California range from $109,990 at the 10th percentile (entry level) to $207,740 at the 90th percentile (experienced). The middle 50% earn between $135,400 and $176,390.
The median annual salary for Nuclear Engineers in California is $172,400 as of 2025. The average (mean) salary is $160,980.
What is the salary range for a Nuclear Engineers in California?
Salaries for Nuclear Engineers in California range from $109,990 at the 10th percentile to $207,740 at the 90th percentile. The middle 50% earn between $135,400 and $176,390.
What is the starting salary for a Nuclear Engineers in California?
Entry-level Nuclear Engineers positions in California typically start around $109,990 (10th percentile). With some experience, salaries rise to $135,400 (25th percentile).
How many people work as Nuclear Engineers in California?
According to 2025 BLS data, approximately 1,070 people are employed as Nuclear Engineers in California.
What is the hourly rate for a Nuclear Engineers in California?
Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, the median hourly rate for a Nuclear Engineers in California is approximately $82.88 per hour.
Salary data is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, 2025 estimates. The OEWS survey covers approximately 1.1 million establishments nationwide.
Annual salaries are calculated based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. Actual compensation may vary based on experience, education, employer, and local market conditions. Figures do not include benefits, bonuses, or overtime pay.
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