Nuclear Engineer salary in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
Nuclear Engineers in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn a median of $161,050 a year ($77.43 an hour), based on BLS data for 330 workers.
Pay ranges from $128,790 for the lowest-paid 10% to $239,310 for the top 10%. That is 20% higher than the national median of $133,970. Pay here is 24% higher than the Washington statewide median of $129,480. There are 0.16 nuclear engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $164,090, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for nuclear engineers in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $128,790 | $61.92 |
| 25th percentile | $128,790 | $61.92 |
| Median | $161,050 | $77.43 |
| 75th percentile | $166,330 | $79.96 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $239,310 | $115.05 |
| Average (mean) | $164,090 | $78.89 |
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 | $13,420.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,710.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,194.23 |
| Weekly | $3,097.12 |
| Hourly | $77.43 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $161,050 salary, see how much house you can afford in Washington 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $156,460 | 230 |
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 Washington statewide figures.
Related jobs in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $116,480 | $56.00 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $163,580 | $78.64 |
| Electrical Engineer | $140,210 | $67.41 |
| Industrial Engineer | $131,210 | $63.08 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $126,590 | $60.86 |
| Engineers, All Other | $137,430 | $66.07 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $169,120 | $81.31 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $138,890 | $66.78 |
| Environmental Engineer | $128,410 | $61.74 |
| Materials Engineer | $156,130 | $75.06 |
| Chemical Engineer | $125,200 | $60.19 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $129,820 | $62.42 |
| Marine Engineers and Naval Architects | $128,610 | $61.83 |
| Petroleum Engineer | $134,800 | $64.81 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
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 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The median salary for nuclear engineers in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area is $161,050 a year, or $77.43 an hour. Pay ranges from $128,790 for the lowest-paid 10% to $239,310 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid nuclear engineers make in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The top 10% of nuclear engineers in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn at least $239,310 a year. The top 25% earn $166,330 or more.
What is the starting pay for nuclear engineers in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $128,790 a year, and a quarter of nuclear engineers earn $128,790 or less.
How many nuclear engineers work in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
About 330 nuclear engineers are employed in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area, not counting the self-employed.