Nuclear Engineer salary in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
Nuclear Engineers in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area earn a median of $129,590 a year ($62.30 an hour), based on BLS data for this job.
Pay ranges from $80,360 for the lowest-paid 10% to $159,780 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $133,970. Pay here is 2% higher than the South Carolina statewide median of $126,570. The average (mean) salary is $127,920, close to the median.
Pay range for nuclear engineers in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $80,360 | $38.63 |
| 25th percentile | $101,650 | $48.87 |
| Median | $129,590 | $62.30 |
| 75th percentile | $159,780 | $76.82 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $159,780 | $76.82 |
| Average (mean) | $127,920 | $61.50 |
Half of nuclear engineers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $10,799.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,399.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,984.23 |
| Weekly | $2,492.12 |
| Hourly | $62.30 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $129,590 salary, see how much house you can afford in South Carolina at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Nuclear Engineer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $132,440 | n/a |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $131,850 | 240 |
| Columbia, SC | $128,340 | 120 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $124,690 | 150 |
Highest-paying states for nuclear engineers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $195,190 |
| California | $172,400 |
| New Mexico | $164,300 |
| Maryland | $157,960 |
| Massachusetts | $145,760 |
| New York | $141,200 |
| Florida | $135,400 |
| Illinois | $134,510 |
| Idaho | $133,970 |
| Pennsylvania | $133,250 |
See Nuclear Engineer pay in every state or the South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $98,740 | $47.47 |
| Industrial Engineer | $110,830 | $53.29 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $110,820 | $53.28 |
| Electrical Engineer | $110,030 | $52.90 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $135,410 | $65.10 |
| Engineers, All Other | $124,250 | $59.74 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $137,030 | $65.88 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $133,430 | $64.15 |
| Materials Engineer | $131,080 | $63.02 |
| Environmental Engineer | $86,670 | $41.67 |
| Chemical Engineer | $129,070 | $62.05 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $123,090 | $59.18 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $86,370 | $41.52 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $71,160 | $34.21 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 17-2161. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a nuclear engineer make in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
The median salary for nuclear engineers in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area is $129,590 a year, or $62.30 an hour. Pay ranges from $80,360 for the lowest-paid 10% to $159,780 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid nuclear engineers make in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
The top 10% of nuclear engineers in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area earn at least $159,780 a year. The top 25% earn $159,780 or more.
What is the starting pay for nuclear engineers in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $80,360 a year, and a quarter of nuclear engineers earn $101,650 or less.