Engineering Lafayette, LA Pop. 121,374

Nuclear Engineer Salary in Lafayette, Louisiana

The median nuclear engineer salary in Lafayette, LA is $105,934 per year, which is 12% below the national median and 3.3% below the Louisiana state average.

City Median
$105,934
vs State Avg
$-3,612
vs National
$-14,446
Cost of Living
88%

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

Lafayette offers a median nuclear engineer salary of $105,934, which is $3,612 below the Louisiana state average of $109,546. Compared to the national median of $120,380, Lafayette pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Lafayette'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 Lafayette an attractive option for nuclear engineers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for nuclear engineers in Lafayette 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. With a population of 121,374, Lafayette is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Nuclear Engineer Salary in Lafayette by Experience

In Lafayette, 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 Lafayette, LA

Percentile Lafayette
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 Louisiana Cities

New Orleans, LA
$117,972
Pop. 383,997
Baton Rouge, LA
$110,750
Pop. 227,470
Lake Charles, LA
$103,527
Pop. 80,000
Shreveport, LA
$102,323
Pop. 187,593

How to Become a Nuclear Engineer in Lafayette

Education

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

Find Nuclear Engineer Jobs in Lafayette

Browse open nuclear engineer positions in Lafayette, LA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Nuclear Engineer Salary in Lafayette

How much does a Nuclear Engineer make in Lafayette, LA? ▼
The median nuclear engineer salary in Lafayette, Louisiana 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 Lafayette? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $105,934, a nuclear engineer in Lafayette earns approximately $51 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Lafayette compare to the Louisiana state average for nuclear engineer pay? ▼
Lafayette's median nuclear engineer salary of $105,934 is 3.3% below the Louisiana state average of $109,546. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Lafayette, LA? ▼
Lafayette has a cost of living index of 88% compared to the national average. This means a nuclear engineer salary of $105,934 in Lafayette has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a nuclear engineer in Lafayette? ▼
Most nuclear engineer positions in Lafayette 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.