Engineering Raleigh, NC Pop. 467,665

Nuclear Engineer Salary in Raleigh, North Carolina

The median nuclear engineer salary in Raleigh, NC is $117,972 per year, which is 2% below the national median and 6.5% above the North Carolina state average.

City Median
$117,972
vs State Avg
+$7,222
vs National
$-2,408
Cost of Living
98%

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

Raleigh offers a median nuclear engineer salary of $117,972, which is $7,222 above the North Carolina state average of $110,750. Compared to the national median of $120,380, Raleigh pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Raleigh's cost of living is 98% 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 Raleigh spans from $74,480 at the 10th percentile to $174,440 at the 90th percentile — a $99,960 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $76,440, while senior nuclear engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $168,560. With a population of 467,665, Raleigh is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Nuclear Engineer Salary in Raleigh by Experience

In Raleigh, an entry-level nuclear engineer earns around $76,440, while experienced professionals earn up to $168,560 per year. The local cost of living index is 98% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$76,440
$-1,560 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$119,560
$-2,440 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$168,560
$-3,440 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Raleigh, NC

Percentile Raleigh
10th Percentile $74,480
25th Percentile $94,080
Median (50th) $117,972
75th Percentile $145,040
90th Percentile $174,440

Nuclear Engineer Salary in Other North Carolina Cities

Charlotte, NC
$117,972
Pop. 874,579
Durham, NC
$114,361
Pop. 283,506
Greensboro, NC
$105,934
Pop. 299,035
Winston-Salem, NC
$103,527
Pop. 249,545

How to Become a Nuclear Engineer in Raleigh

Education

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

Find Nuclear Engineer Jobs in Raleigh

Browse open nuclear engineer positions in Raleigh, NC:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Nuclear Engineer Salary in Raleigh

How much does a Nuclear Engineer make in Raleigh, NC? ▼
The median nuclear engineer salary in Raleigh, North Carolina is $117,972 per year, which is 2% below the national median of $120,380. Salaries range from $74,480 (10th percentile) to $174,440 (90th percentile).
How much does a Nuclear Engineer make per hour in Raleigh? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $117,972, a nuclear engineer in Raleigh earns approximately $57 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Raleigh compare to the North Carolina state average for nuclear engineer pay? ▼
Raleigh's median nuclear engineer salary of $117,972 is 6.5% above the North Carolina state average of $110,750. The local cost of living index is 98% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Raleigh, NC? ▼
Raleigh has a cost of living index of 98% compared to the national average. This means a nuclear engineer salary of $117,972 in Raleigh has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a nuclear engineer in Raleigh? ▼
Most nuclear engineer positions in Raleigh 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.