Engineering Pittsburgh, PA Pop. 302,971

Nuclear Engineer Salary in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

The median nuclear engineer salary in Pittsburgh, PA is $111,953 per year, which is 7% below the national median and 3.1% below the Pennsylvania state average.

City Median
$111,953
vs State Avg
$-3,612
vs National
$-8,427
Cost of Living
93%

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

Pittsburgh offers a median nuclear engineer salary of $111,953, which is $3,612 below the Pennsylvania state average of $115,565. Compared to the national median of $120,380, Pittsburgh pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Pittsburgh's cost of living is 93% 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 Pittsburgh spans from $70,680 at the 10th percentile to $165,540 at the 90th percentile — a $94,860 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $72,540, while senior nuclear engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $159,960. With a population of 302,971, Pittsburgh is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Nuclear Engineer Salary in Pittsburgh by Experience

In Pittsburgh, an entry-level nuclear engineer earns around $72,540, while experienced professionals earn up to $159,960 per year. The local cost of living index is 93% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$72,540
$-5,460 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$113,460
$-8,540 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$159,960
$-12,040 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Pittsburgh, PA

Percentile Pittsburgh
10th Percentile $70,680
25th Percentile $89,280
Median (50th) $111,953
75th Percentile $137,640
90th Percentile $165,540

Nuclear Engineer Salary in Other Pennsylvania Cities

Philadelphia, PA
$122,788
Pop. 1,603,797
Allentown, PA
$113,157
Pop. 126,092
Reading, PA
$105,934
Pop. 95,112
Erie, PA
$101,119
Pop. 94,831

How to Become a Nuclear Engineer in Pittsburgh

Education

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

Find Nuclear Engineer Jobs in Pittsburgh

Browse open nuclear engineer positions in Pittsburgh, PA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Nuclear Engineer Salary in Pittsburgh

How much does a Nuclear Engineer make in Pittsburgh, PA? ▼
The median nuclear engineer salary in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is $111,953 per year, which is 7% below the national median of $120,380. Salaries range from $70,680 (10th percentile) to $165,540 (90th percentile).
How much does a Nuclear Engineer make per hour in Pittsburgh? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $111,953, a nuclear engineer in Pittsburgh earns approximately $54 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Pittsburgh compare to the Pennsylvania state average for nuclear engineer pay? ▼
Pittsburgh's median nuclear engineer salary of $111,953 is 3.1% below the Pennsylvania state average of $115,565. The local cost of living index is 93% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Pittsburgh, PA? ▼
Pittsburgh has a cost of living index of 93% compared to the national average. This means a nuclear engineer salary of $111,953 in Pittsburgh has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a nuclear engineer in Pittsburgh? ▼
Most nuclear engineer positions in Pittsburgh 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.