Engineering Davenport, IA Pop. 101,724

Nuclear Engineer Salary in Davenport, Iowa

The median nuclear engineer salary in Davenport, IA is $103,527 per year, which is 14% below the national median and 3.4% below the Iowa state average.

City Median
$103,527
vs State Avg
$-3,611
vs National
$-16,853
Cost of Living
86%

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

Davenport offers a median nuclear engineer salary of $103,527, which is $3,611 below the Iowa state average of $107,138. Compared to the national median of $120,380, Davenport pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Davenport's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 86% of the national average. This means the $103,527 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $120,380 in an average-cost city. This makes Davenport an attractive option for nuclear engineers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for nuclear engineers in Davenport spans from $65,360 at the 10th percentile to $153,080 at the 90th percentile — a $87,720 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $67,080, while senior nuclear engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $147,920. With a population of 101,724, Davenport is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Nuclear Engineer Salary in Davenport by Experience

In Davenport, an entry-level nuclear engineer earns around $67,080, while experienced professionals earn up to $147,920 per year. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$67,080
$-10,920 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$104,920
$-17,080 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$147,920
$-24,080 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Davenport, IA

Percentile Davenport
10th Percentile $65,360
25th Percentile $82,560
Median (50th) $103,527
75th Percentile $127,280
90th Percentile $153,080

Nuclear Engineer Salary in Other Iowa Cities

Iowa City, IA
$114,361
Pop. 74,828
Des Moines, IA
$110,750
Pop. 214,133
Cedar Rapids, IA
$105,934
Pop. 137,710
Sioux City, IA
$101,119
Pop. 85,797

How to Become a Nuclear Engineer in Davenport

Education

Most nuclear engineer positions require a bachelor's degree. Davenport and the surrounding Iowa 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 Davenport may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Nuclear Engineer Jobs in Davenport

Browse open nuclear engineer positions in Davenport, IA:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Nuclear Engineer Salary in Davenport

How much does a Nuclear Engineer make in Davenport, IA? ▼
The median nuclear engineer salary in Davenport, Iowa is $103,527 per year, which is 14% below the national median of $120,380. Salaries range from $65,360 (10th percentile) to $153,080 (90th percentile).
How much does a Nuclear Engineer make per hour in Davenport? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $103,527, a nuclear engineer in Davenport earns approximately $50 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Davenport compare to the Iowa state average for nuclear engineer pay? ▼
Davenport's median nuclear engineer salary of $103,527 is 3.4% below the Iowa state average of $107,138. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Davenport, IA? ▼
Davenport has a cost of living index of 86% compared to the national average. This means a nuclear engineer salary of $103,527 in Davenport has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a nuclear engineer in Davenport? ▼
Most nuclear engineer positions in Davenport 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.