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Average Nuclear Engineers Salary in Illinois

Nuclear Engineers in Illinois earn an average annual salary of $134,910, slightly below the national average of $138,390. This marginal difference can be attributed to a combination of factors, including the specific industrial demands and the cost of living within the state, which influences compensation strategies.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $134,910 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 5.6% ↗ over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $165,520.
  • Outlook: With a local workforce of 950 Nuclear Engineers, Illinois demonstrates a significant concentration of these professionals, as indicated by a Location Quotient of 1.65. This suggests a robust and established job market for nuclear engineering roles within the state, pointing towards sustained demand and opportunities for skilled individuals.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$134,910

The average Nuclear Engineers in Illinois earns-2.5%below the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$64.9

Weekly

$2,594

Monthly

$11,243

Nuclear Engineers Salary Distribution in Illinois

The career trajectory for Nuclear Engineers in Illinois typically shows a clear salary progression. Entry-level positions might start closer to the lower percentiles, while seasoned professionals with extensive experience and specialized skills can command salaries in the upper percentiles, reflecting increased responsibility and expertise.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
Junior / AssociateEntry level. Focus on learning core skills & codebase.10% (Entry)$101,890$49
Engineer IProficient contributor. Handles tasks independently.25% (Junior)$101,183$48.6
Senior EngineerSystem design, complex problem solving, mentoring.50% (Median)$130,160$62.6
Lead / StaffTechnical strategy, architecture, cross-team impact.75% (Senior)$168,638$81.1
Principal / ArchitectIndustry expert. Driving technical vision & innovation.90% (Expert)$165,520$79.6

Detailed Nuclear Engineers Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$134,910

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$146,961

Adjusted for COL (91.8)

The average annual salary of $134,910 in Illinois offers a strong purchasing power, especially when considering the state's Cost of Living Index of 91.8, which is below the national average. This means that the nominal salary translates into a higher real income, allowing Nuclear Engineers to enjoy a comfortable standard of living.

Job Market Context

950

Total Jobs

0.157

Per 1K Jobs

1.65

Location Quotient

Major Hub

Illinois has 1.6x 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.

Illinois's Location Quotient of 1.65 for Nuclear Engineers signifies a market that is 65% more concentrated than the national average. This indicates a strong presence and potentially higher demand for these specialized roles within the state compared to the rest of the country, suggesting a competitive but opportunity-rich environment.

Nearby Job Markets

Hiring Nuclear Engineerss?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Nuclear Engineers make in Illinois?

The median annual salary for a Nuclear Engineers in Illinois is $134,910. This typically ranges from $101,890 for entry-level positions to $165,520 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in Illinois is 2.5% lower than the national median of $138,390.

Is Illinois a lucrative place for Nuclear Engineers?

Yes, Illinois offers a lucrative environment for Nuclear Engineers.The state boasts a strong concentration of these professionals and a cost of living below the national average, making the nominal salary highly competitive in real terms.

Is Illinois a good place to live for Nuclear Engineers?

With a Cost of Living Index of 91.8 (lower than the national average of 100), your salary goes further here.

How does the Illinois salary compare to the national average?

Nuclear Engineers in Illinois earn an average of $134,910 annually, which is slightly lower than the national average of $138,390.

What is the concentration of Nuclear Engineers in Illinois?

Illinois has a higher concentration of Nuclear Engineers than the national average, with a Location Quotient of 1.65, indicating a robust local job market.

How does the cost of living affect Nuclear Engineer salaries in Illinois?

With a Cost of Living Index of 91.8, Illinois is more affordable than the national average, meaning the $134,910 salary provides a good standard of living.

What is the total workforce of Nuclear Engineers in Illinois?

There are approximately 950 Nuclear Engineers employed in Illinois.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 950 employees in the Illinois area with a job density of 0.157 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.

Semantic Salary Analysis for Nuclear Engineers • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Illinois