Nuclear Engineer Salaries
Nuclear Engineer salaries in Seattle, WA, United States
Base pay
US$111K - US$163K/yr
US$134K/yrAverage base pay
Additional salary
US$36K/yrAverage
US$27K - US$51K/yrRange
About our data
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The “Most Likely Range” reflects values within the 25th and 75th percentile of all pay data available for this role. Glassdoor salaries are powered by our proprietary machine learning model, which utilises salaries collected from our users and the latest government data to make pay predictions.
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Top paying industries
The top 2 paying industries for a Nuclear Engineer in Seattle, WA, United States are Aerospace and defence with a median total pay of US$143,022 and Government and public administration with a median total pay of US$139,588.
The top paying company in Aerospace and defence for Nuclear Engineer is Naval Sea Systems Command.
The top paying company in Government and public administration for Nuclear Engineer is US Navy.
Aerospace and defence
US$143,022
Aerospace and defence
The top paying company in Aerospace and defence for Nuclear Engineer is Naval Sea Systems Command.
Government and public administration
US$139,588
Aerospace and defence
The top paying company in Aerospace and defence for Nuclear Engineer is Naval Sea Systems Command.
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Glassdoor Economist Pay Overview
What is the pay outlook for Engineering?
Engineering jobs are in high demand with workers receiving generous compensation packages and bonuses. Engineering offers ample opportunity for growth and development with transferable skills across an array of fields from software, supply chain and logistics to aerospace. Most roles require at least a bachelor’s degree. To remain competitive, job-seekers should consider specialization or skill-specific programs such as coding boot-camps or certifications.Show more
How does the Nuclear Engineer salary in Seattle, WA, United States compare to the national average salary in Hong Kong for the same job?
The average salary for a Nuclear Engineer in Hong Kong is HK$92,884 per year based on 452 salary contributions, which is 15.35% more than the salary for a Nuclear Engineer in Seattle, WA, United States. The cost of living and the local demand for the work are among the factors affecting wages. The top 3 companies in Hong Kong where a Nuclear Engineer gets the highest compensation are Public Service Enterprise Group, Sandia National Laboratories and Idaho National Laboratory. Bigger companies typically pay 35.00% more than smaller companies for a Nuclear Engineer.Show more
Frequently asked questions about Nuclear Engineer salaries
How much does a Nuclear Engineer in Seattle, WA, United States make?
The average salary for a Nuclear Engineer is US$170,877 per year or US$82 per hour in Seattle, WA, United States, which is in line with the national average. Top earners have reported making up to US$259,992 (90th percentile). However, the typical pay range in Seattle, WA, United States is between US$138,368 (25th percentile) and US$213,783 (75th percentile) annually. Salary estimates are based on 144 salaries submitted anonymously to Glassdoor by Nuclear Engineer employees in Seattle, WA, United States as of June 2026.
What is the highest salary for a Nuclear Engineer in Seattle, WA, United States?
The highest salary for a Nuclear Engineer in Seattle, WA, United States is US$213,783 per year, US$17,815 per month or US$103 per hour.
What is the lowest salary for a Nuclear Engineer in Seattle, WA, United States?
The lowest salary for a Nuclear Engineer in Seattle, WA, United States is US$138,368 per year, US$11,531 per month or US$67 per hour.
How to Make More Money as a Nuclear Engineer
Are you hoping to increase your nuclear engineer salary? To progress in your nuclear engineer career, you'll generally need to complete an advanced degree, such as a Master of Science or Engineering. Depending on your specialization, you should also consider obtaining additional training and certification in core design, medical nuclear engineering, thermal hydraulics, safety analysis, or radiation transport. Some states and companies require nuclear engineers to pass the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam and later the licensed professional engineers (PE) exam to advance their career. Where these exams aren't mandatory, they can add weight when you're seeking a higher salary.
How to Negotiate a Higher Salary as a Nuclear Engineer
If you're starting a new job as a nuclear engineer, highlighting valuable experience gained during your internships, such as field and lab work, might help you to negotiate higher remuneration. You should also mention sought-after skills, such as communication, technology, problem-solving, and leadership. If you're seeking a higher salary than in your existing job, detail additional training, education, and research you've conducted, discuss major projects you've worked on, and provide examples of supervisory or project management roles. Membership in professional organizations, such as the Royal Institute of Chartered Engineers (RICE) USA or the American Nuclear Society, may also be useful.