Engineering Grand Island, NE Pop. 53,131

Nuclear Engineer Salary in Grand Island, Nebraska

The median nuclear engineer salary in Grand Island, NE is $101,119 per year, which is 16% below the national median and 6.7% below the Nebraska state average.

City Median
$101,119
vs State Avg
$-7,223
vs National
$-19,261
Cost of Living
84%

Nuclear Engineer Pay in Grand Island: What to Expect (2026)

Grand Island offers a median nuclear engineer salary of $101,119, which is $7,223 below the Nebraska state average of $108,342. Compared to the national median of $120,380, Grand Island pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Grand Island's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 84% of the national average. This means the $101,119 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $120,380 in an average-cost city. This makes Grand Island an attractive option for nuclear engineers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for nuclear engineers in Grand Island spans from $63,840 at the 10th percentile to $149,520 at the 90th percentile — a $85,680 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $65,520, while senior nuclear engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $144,480. Grand Island is a smaller market (pop. 53,131), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Nuclear Engineer Salary in Grand Island by Experience

In Grand Island, an entry-level nuclear engineer earns around $65,520, while experienced professionals earn up to $144,480 per year. The local cost of living index is 84% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$65,520
$-12,480 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$102,480
$-19,520 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$144,480
$-27,520 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Grand Island, NE

Percentile Grand Island
10th Percentile $63,840
25th Percentile $80,640
Median (50th) $101,119
75th Percentile $124,320
90th Percentile $149,520

Nuclear Engineer Salary in Other Nebraska Cities

How to Become a Nuclear Engineer in Grand Island

Education

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

Find Nuclear Engineer Jobs in Grand Island

Browse open nuclear engineer positions in Grand Island, NE:

Frequently Asked Questions: Nuclear Engineer Salary in Grand Island

How much does a Nuclear Engineer make in Grand Island, NE? ▼
The median nuclear engineer salary in Grand Island, Nebraska is $101,119 per year, which is 16% below the national median of $120,380. Salaries range from $63,840 (10th percentile) to $149,520 (90th percentile).
How much does a Nuclear Engineer make per hour in Grand Island? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $101,119, a nuclear engineer in Grand Island earns approximately $49 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Grand Island compare to the Nebraska state average for nuclear engineer pay? ▼
Grand Island's median nuclear engineer salary of $101,119 is 6.7% below the Nebraska state average of $108,342. The local cost of living index is 84% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Grand Island, NE? ▼
Grand Island has a cost of living index of 84% compared to the national average. This means a nuclear engineer salary of $101,119 in Grand Island has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a nuclear engineer in Grand Island? ▼
Most nuclear engineer positions in Grand Island 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.