Nuclear Engineer salary in Portland-South Portland, ME
Nuclear Engineers in the Portland-South Portland, ME metro area earn a median of $120,430 a year ($57.90 an hour), based on BLS data for 370 workers.
Pay ranges from $78,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $143,210 for the top 10%. That is 10% lower than the national median of $133,970. Pay here is 3% lower than the Maine statewide median of $123,780. There are 1.3 nuclear engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 13.0× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $118,620, close to the median.
Pay range for nuclear engineers in Portland-South Portland, ME
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $78,440 | $37.71 |
| 25th percentile | $107,060 | $51.47 |
| Median | $120,430 | $57.90 |
| 75th percentile | $135,260 | $65.03 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $143,210 | $68.85 |
| Average (mean) | $118,620 | $57.03 |
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 | $10,035.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,017.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,631.92 |
| Weekly | $2,315.96 |
| Hourly | $57.90 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $120,430 salary, see how much house you can afford in Maine at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
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 Maine statewide figures.
Related jobs in Portland-South Portland, ME
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $102,240 | $49.16 |
| Industrial Engineer | $101,030 | $48.57 |
| Electrical Engineer | $113,760 | $54.69 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $107,060 | $51.47 |
| Engineers, All Other | $123,780 | $59.51 |
| Marine Engineers and Naval Architects | $104,850 | $50.41 |
| Environmental Engineer | $102,270 | $49.17 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $127,280 | $61.19 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $108,850 | $52.33 |
| Mechanical Drafter | $76,360 | $36.71 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $78,830 | $37.90 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $70,610 | $33.95 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $77,520 | $37.27 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $77,320 | $37.17 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Portland-South Portland, ME
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 Portland-South Portland, ME?
The median salary for nuclear engineers in the Portland-South Portland, ME metro area is $120,430 a year, or $57.90 an hour. Pay ranges from $78,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $143,210 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid nuclear engineers make in Portland-South Portland, ME?
The top 10% of nuclear engineers in the Portland-South Portland, ME metro area earn at least $143,210 a year. The top 25% earn $135,260 or more.
What is the starting pay for nuclear engineers in Portland-South Portland, ME?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $78,440 a year, and a quarter of nuclear engineers earn $107,060 or less.
How many nuclear engineers work in Portland-South Portland, ME?
About 370 nuclear engineers are employed in the Portland-South Portland, ME metro area, not counting the self-employed.