Engineering Helena, MT Pop. 32,315

Nuclear Engineer Salary in Helena, Montana

The median nuclear engineer salary in Helena, MT is $113,157 per year, which is 6% below the national median and 1.1% below the Montana state average.

City Median
$113,157
vs State Avg
$-1,204
vs National
$-7,223
Cost of Living
94%

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

Helena offers a median nuclear engineer salary of $113,157, which is $1,204 below the Montana state average of $114,361. Compared to the national median of $120,380, Helena pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Helena's cost of living is 94% 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 Helena spans from $71,440 at the 10th percentile to $167,320 at the 90th percentile — a $95,880 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $73,320, while senior nuclear engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $161,680. Helena is a smaller market (pop. 32,315), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Nuclear Engineer Salary in Helena by Experience

In Helena, an entry-level nuclear engineer earns around $73,320, while experienced professionals earn up to $161,680 per year. The local cost of living index is 94% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$73,320
$-4,680 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$114,680
$-7,320 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$161,680
$-10,320 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Helena, MT

Percentile Helena
10th Percentile $71,440
25th Percentile $90,240
Median (50th) $113,157
75th Percentile $139,120
90th Percentile $167,320

Nuclear Engineer Salary in Other Montana Cities

Bozeman, MT
$138,437
Pop. 53,293
Missoula, MT
$122,788
Pop. 75,516
Billings, MT
$115,565
Pop. 117,116
Great Falls, MT
$105,934
Pop. 60,442

How to Become a Nuclear Engineer in Helena

Education

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

Find Nuclear Engineer Jobs in Helena

Browse open nuclear engineer positions in Helena, MT:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Nuclear Engineer Salary in Helena

How much does a Nuclear Engineer make in Helena, MT? ▼
The median nuclear engineer salary in Helena, Montana is $113,157 per year, which is 6% below the national median of $120,380. Salaries range from $71,440 (10th percentile) to $167,320 (90th percentile).
How much does a Nuclear Engineer make per hour in Helena? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $113,157, a nuclear engineer in Helena earns approximately $54 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Helena compare to the Montana state average for nuclear engineer pay? ▼
Helena's median nuclear engineer salary of $113,157 is 1.1% below the Montana state average of $114,361. The local cost of living index is 94% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Helena, MT? ▼
Helena has a cost of living index of 94% compared to the national average. This means a nuclear engineer salary of $113,157 in Helena has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a nuclear engineer in Helena? ▼
Most nuclear engineer positions in Helena 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.