Engineering Iowa City, IA Pop. 74,828

Nuclear Engineer Salary in Iowa City, Iowa

The median nuclear engineer salary in Iowa City, IA is $114,361 per year, which is 5% below the national median and 6.7% above the Iowa state average.

City Median
$114,361
vs State Avg
+$7,223
vs National
$-6,019
Cost of Living
95%

Nuclear Engineer Pay in Iowa City: What to Expect (2026)

Iowa City offers a median nuclear engineer salary of $114,361, which is $7,223 above the Iowa state average of $107,138. Compared to the national median of $120,380, Iowa City pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Iowa City's cost of living is 95% of the national average, meaning salary figures here closely reflect actual purchasing power. This makes direct comparisons to other cities straightforward.

The salary range for nuclear engineers in Iowa City spans from $72,200 at the 10th percentile to $169,100 at the 90th percentile — a $96,900 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $74,100, while senior nuclear engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $163,400. Iowa City is a smaller market (pop. 74,828), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Nuclear Engineer Salary in Iowa City by Experience

In Iowa City, an entry-level nuclear engineer earns around $74,100, while experienced professionals earn up to $163,400 per year. The local cost of living index is 95% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$74,100
$-3,900 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$115,900
$-6,100 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$163,400
$-8,600 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Iowa City, IA

Percentile Iowa City
10th Percentile $72,200
25th Percentile $91,200
Median (50th) $114,361
75th Percentile $140,600
90th Percentile $169,100

Nuclear Engineer Salary in Other Iowa Cities

Des Moines, IA
$110,750
Pop. 214,133
Cedar Rapids, IA
$105,934
Pop. 137,710
Davenport, IA
$103,527
Pop. 101,724
Sioux City, IA
$101,119
Pop. 85,797

How to Become a Nuclear Engineer in Iowa City

Education

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

Find Nuclear Engineer Jobs in Iowa City

Browse open nuclear engineer positions in Iowa City, IA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Nuclear Engineer Salary in Iowa City

How much does a Nuclear Engineer make in Iowa City, IA? ▼
The median nuclear engineer salary in Iowa City, Iowa is $114,361 per year, which is 5% below the national median of $120,380. Salaries range from $72,200 (10th percentile) to $169,100 (90th percentile).
How much does a Nuclear Engineer make per hour in Iowa City? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $114,361, a nuclear engineer in Iowa City earns approximately $55 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Iowa City compare to the Iowa state average for nuclear engineer pay? ▼
Iowa City's median nuclear engineer salary of $114,361 is 6.7% above the Iowa state average of $107,138. The local cost of living index is 95% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Iowa City, IA? ▼
Iowa City has a cost of living index of 95% compared to the national average. This means a nuclear engineer salary of $114,361 in Iowa City has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a nuclear engineer in Iowa City? ▼
Most nuclear engineer positions in Iowa City 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.