Engineering Fayetteville, AR Pop. 93,949

Nuclear Engineer Salary in Fayetteville, Arkansas

The median nuclear engineer salary in Fayetteville, AR is $105,934 per year, which is 12% below the national median and 4.8% above the Arkansas state average.

City Median
$105,934
vs State Avg
+$4,815
vs National
$-14,446
Cost of Living
88%

Nuclear Engineer Pay in Fayetteville: What to Expect (2026)

Fayetteville offers a median nuclear engineer salary of $105,934, which is $4,815 above the Arkansas state average of $101,119. Compared to the national median of $120,380, Fayetteville pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Fayetteville's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 88% of the national average. This means the $105,934 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $120,380 in an average-cost city. This makes Fayetteville an attractive option for nuclear engineers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for nuclear engineers in Fayetteville spans from $66,880 at the 10th percentile to $156,640 at the 90th percentile — a $89,760 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $68,640, while senior nuclear engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $151,360. Fayetteville is a smaller market (pop. 93,949), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Nuclear Engineer Salary in Fayetteville by Experience

In Fayetteville, an entry-level nuclear engineer earns around $68,640, while experienced professionals earn up to $151,360 per year. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$68,640
$-9,360 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$107,360
$-14,640 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$151,360
$-20,640 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Fayetteville, AR

Percentile Fayetteville
10th Percentile $66,880
25th Percentile $84,480
Median (50th) $105,934
75th Percentile $130,240
90th Percentile $156,640

Nuclear Engineer Salary in Other Arkansas Cities

Little Rock, AR
$104,731
Pop. 202,591
Springdale, AR
$101,119
Pop. 80,433
Jonesboro, AR
$98,712
Pop. 78,576
Fort Smith, AR
$96,304
Pop. 89,142

How to Become a Nuclear Engineer in Fayetteville

Education

Most nuclear engineer positions require a bachelor's degree. Fayetteville and the surrounding Arkansas area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Nuclear PhysicsReactor DesignSafety AnalysisRadiation ProtectionMATLABRegulatory Compliance

Job Outlook

Nationally, nuclear engineer employment is projected to grow 4% over the next decade (as fast as average). Demand in Fayetteville may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Nuclear Engineer Jobs in Fayetteville

Browse open nuclear engineer positions in Fayetteville, AR:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Nuclear Engineer Salary in Fayetteville

How much does a Nuclear Engineer make in Fayetteville, AR? ▼
The median nuclear engineer salary in Fayetteville, Arkansas is $105,934 per year, which is 12% below the national median of $120,380. Salaries range from $66,880 (10th percentile) to $156,640 (90th percentile).
How much does a Nuclear Engineer make per hour in Fayetteville? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $105,934, a nuclear engineer in Fayetteville earns approximately $51 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Fayetteville compare to the Arkansas state average for nuclear engineer pay? ▼
Fayetteville's median nuclear engineer salary of $105,934 is 4.8% above the Arkansas state average of $101,119. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Fayetteville, AR? ▼
Fayetteville has a cost of living index of 88% compared to the national average. This means a nuclear engineer salary of $105,934 in Fayetteville has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a nuclear engineer in Fayetteville? ▼
Most nuclear engineer positions in Fayetteville require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Nuclear Physics, Reactor Design, Safety Analysis, Radiation Protection. The job market is projected to grow 4% nationally over the next decade.