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Average Nuclear Engineers Salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

Nuclear Engineers in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV area command an impressive average annual salary of $175,420. This figure significantly surpasses the national average of $138,390, reflecting the specialized nature of the role and potentially higher demand or cost of doing business in this key metropolitan region. The robust compensation underscores the value placed on expertise in nuclear technology within this locale.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $175,420 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 35.1% ↗ over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $203,990.
  • Outlook: With a total local workforce of 300 Nuclear Engineers, the market in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria indicates a stable, albeit niche, employment landscape. The Location Quotient of 1.0 suggests that the concentration of Nuclear Engineers in this area is on par with the national average, implying a steady demand that aligns with national trends. While not an area of extreme over-saturation, the workforce size points to consistent opportunities for skilled professionals.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$175,420

The average Nuclear Engineers in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV earns+26.8%above the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$84.3

Weekly

$3,373

Monthly

$14,618

Nuclear Engineers Salary Distribution in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

The salary spectrum for Nuclear Engineers typically widens considerably with experience. Entry-level positions might start closer to the lower percentiles, while senior engineers with extensive project management and specialized knowledge can command salaries well into the upper percentiles, significantly exceeding the $175,420 average. These percentile gaps are crucial indicators of career progression and the increasing value placed on seasoned expertise within the field.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
Junior / AssociateEntry level. Focus on learning core skills & codebase.10% (Entry)$121,890$58.6
Engineer IProficient contributor. Handles tasks independently.25% (Junior)$131,565$63.3
Senior EngineerSystem design, complex problem solving, mentoring.50% (Median)$189,770$91.2
Lead / StaffTechnical strategy, architecture, cross-team impact.75% (Senior)$219,275$105.4
Principal / ArchitectIndustry expert. Driving technical vision & innovation.90% (Expert)$203,990$98.1

Detailed Nuclear Engineers Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$175,420

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$175,420

Adjusted for COL (100)

The average annual salary of $175,420 in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria aligns perfectly with the national average Cost of Living Index of 100. This means that the purchasing power of a Nuclear Engineer's salary in this region is equivalent to the national average. While the nominal salary is high, the cost of living does not present a significant advantage or disadvantage compared to the rest of the country, suggesting that the compensation is well-calibrated to the local economic environment.

Job Market Context

300

Total Jobs

0.096

Per 1K Jobs

1

Location Quotient

Above Average

With a location quotient of 1.00, Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV has a slightly higher-than-average concentration of Nuclear Engineers roles compared to the national norm.

A Location Quotient of 1.0 for Nuclear Engineers in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria signifies that the concentration of these professionals is exactly at the national average. This indicates a balanced job market where the demand for Nuclear Engineers is neither exceptionally high nor low relative to other occupations. The market is neither overly competitive due to an abundance of talent nor experiencing a significant shortage, suggesting a stable and predictable employment environment.

Nearby Job Markets

Hiring Nuclear Engineerss?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Nuclear Engineers make in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?

The median annual salary for a Nuclear Engineers in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV is $175,420. This typically ranges from $121,890 for entry-level positions to $203,990 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV is 26.8% higher than the national median of $138,390.

Is Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV a lucrative place for Nuclear Engineerss?

Yes, it is a lucrative place for Nuclear Engineers.Nuclear Engineers earn an average of $175,420 annually, significantly above the national average, while the cost of living remains at the national average, indicating strong purchasing power.

Is Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV a good place to live for Nuclear Engineers?

The Cost of Living Index in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.

How does the Nuclear Engineer salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria compare to the national average?

The average annual salary for Nuclear Engineers in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria is $175,420, which is substantially higher than the national average of $138,390.

What is the concentration of Nuclear Engineers in this region?

The Location Quotient for Nuclear Engineers in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria is 1.0, indicating that the concentration of these professionals is exactly in line with the national average.

How many Nuclear Engineers work in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria area?

There are approximately 300 Nuclear Engineers employed within the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metropolitan area.

Does the cost of living affect the Nuclear Engineer salary in this region?

The Cost of Living Index is 100, which is the national average. This means the $175,420 salary has the same purchasing power as the national average salary, indicating that the high salary is not solely driven by a higher cost of living.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 300 employees in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV area with a job density of 0.096 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.

Top Jobs in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

Semantic Salary Analysis for Nuclear Engineers • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV