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Average Nuclear Engineers Salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN

Nuclear Engineers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metropolitan area earn an average annual salary of $136,170. This figure is slightly below the national average of $138,390, but the robust local job market and specific industry demands in the region contribute to competitive compensation.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $136,170 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 0.0% ↘ over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $174,080.
  • Outlook: With a total local workforce of 750 Nuclear Engineers, the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin area demonstrates a significant concentration of talent. The Location Quotient of 1.74 indicates that this region has a notably higher proportion of Nuclear Engineers compared to the national average, suggesting strong and sustained demand for these specialized professionals.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$136,170

The average Nuclear Engineers in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN earns-1.6%below the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$65.5

Weekly

$2,619

Monthly

$11,348

Nuclear Engineers Salary Distribution in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN

Salary progression for Nuclear Engineers in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin typically scales with experience. Entry-level positions may start at a lower percentile, while senior engineers with extensive expertise and leadership responsibilities can command salaries in the higher percentiles. The significant gap between entry-level and senior roles underscores the substantial career growth and earning potential within this field.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
Junior / AssociateEntry level. Focus on learning core skills & codebase.10% (Entry)$102,500$49.3
Engineer IProficient contributor. Handles tasks independently.25% (Junior)$102,128$49.1
Senior EngineerSystem design, complex problem solving, mentoring.50% (Median)$130,160$62.6
Lead / StaffTechnical strategy, architecture, cross-team impact.75% (Senior)$170,213$81.8
Principal / ArchitectIndustry expert. Driving technical vision & innovation.90% (Expert)$174,080$83.7

Detailed Nuclear Engineers Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$136,170

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$136,170

Adjusted for COL (100)

The nominal average salary of $136,170 in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN is particularly attractive given the local Cost of Living Index of 100, which is precisely the national average. This means that the purchasing power of a Nuclear Engineer's salary in this area is equivalent to the national standard, allowing for a comfortable lifestyle without the added financial strain of a higher cost of living.

Job Market Context

750

Total Jobs

0.167

Per 1K Jobs

1.74

Location Quotient

Major Hub

Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN has 1.7x the national concentration of Nuclear Engineers jobs — a major employment hub for this role. Job seekers will find significantly more opportunities here than in most other areas.

The Location Quotient of 1.74 for Nuclear Engineers in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin signifies a market with a concentration 74% higher than the national average. This indicates a robust and specialized job market where demand likely outpaces the general national supply, making it a competitive yet potentially rewarding environment for skilled professionals.

Nearby Job Markets

Hiring Nuclear Engineerss?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Nuclear Engineers make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?

The median annual salary for a Nuclear Engineers in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN is $136,170. This typically ranges from $102,500 for entry-level positions to $174,080 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN is 1.6% lower than the national median of $138,390.

Is Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN a lucrative place for Nuclear Engineers?

Yes, it is a lucrative place for Nuclear Engineers.The area boasts a high concentration of Nuclear Engineers (LQ 1.74) and a cost of living that matches the national average, making the $136,170 average salary highly competitive.

Is Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN a good place to live for Nuclear Engineers?

The Cost of Living Index in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.

How does the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin salary compare to the national average?

The average salary of $136,170 in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin is slightly below the national average of $138,390, but the strong local job market concentration offsets this difference.

What is the significance of the Location Quotient (LQ) for Nuclear Engineers in this area?

An LQ of 1.74 means that Nuclear Engineers are 74% more concentrated in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin area than the national average, indicating high demand and a specialized job market.

Does the cost of living affect the value of a Nuclear Engineer's salary in Chicago?

No, the cost of living in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin is at the national average (100), meaning the $136,170 salary offers purchasing power equivalent to the national median.

How many Nuclear Engineers work in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin area?

There are approximately 750 Nuclear Engineers employed within the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin metropolitan area, contributing to its specialized workforce.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 750 employees in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN area with a job density of 0.167 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.

Top Jobs in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN

Semantic Salary Analysis for Nuclear Engineers • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN