Engineering Cleveland, OH Pop. 372,624

Nuclear Engineer Salary in Cleveland, Ohio

The median nuclear engineer salary in Cleveland, OH is $103,527 per year, which is 14% below the national median and 4.4% below the Ohio state average.

City Median
$103,527
vs State Avg
$-4,815
vs National
$-16,853
Cost of Living
86%

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

Cleveland offers a median nuclear engineer salary of $103,527, which is $4,815 below the Ohio state average of $108,342. Compared to the national median of $120,380, Cleveland pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Cleveland's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 86% of the national average. This means the $103,527 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $120,380 in an average-cost city. This makes Cleveland an attractive option for nuclear engineers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for nuclear engineers in Cleveland spans from $65,360 at the 10th percentile to $153,080 at the 90th percentile — a $87,720 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $67,080, while senior nuclear engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $147,920. With a population of 372,624, Cleveland is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Nuclear Engineer Salary in Cleveland by Experience

In Cleveland, an entry-level nuclear engineer earns around $67,080, while experienced professionals earn up to $147,920 per year. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$67,080
$-10,920 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$104,920
$-17,080 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$147,920
$-24,080 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Cleveland, OH

Percentile Cleveland
10th Percentile $65,360
25th Percentile $82,560
Median (50th) $103,527
75th Percentile $127,280
90th Percentile $153,080

Nuclear Engineer Salary in Other Ohio Cities

Columbus, OH
$114,361
Pop. 905,748
Cincinnati, OH
$108,342
Pop. 309,317
Akron, OH
$101,119
Pop. 190,469
Toledo, OH
$98,712
Pop. 270,871

How to Become a Nuclear Engineer in Cleveland

Education

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

Find Nuclear Engineer Jobs in Cleveland

Browse open nuclear engineer positions in Cleveland, OH:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Nuclear Engineer Salary in Cleveland

How much does a Nuclear Engineer make in Cleveland, OH? ▼
The median nuclear engineer salary in Cleveland, Ohio is $103,527 per year, which is 14% below the national median of $120,380. Salaries range from $65,360 (10th percentile) to $153,080 (90th percentile).
How much does a Nuclear Engineer make per hour in Cleveland? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $103,527, a nuclear engineer in Cleveland earns approximately $50 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Cleveland compare to the Ohio state average for nuclear engineer pay? ▼
Cleveland's median nuclear engineer salary of $103,527 is 4.4% below the Ohio state average of $108,342. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Cleveland, OH? ▼
Cleveland has a cost of living index of 86% compared to the national average. This means a nuclear engineer salary of $103,527 in Cleveland has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a nuclear engineer in Cleveland? ▼
Most nuclear engineer positions in Cleveland 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.