{"data_version":"1.0","generated_from":"2026-10-11","license":"Free to reuse with attribution: cite \"EducationGuide.com\" with a link to the page URL. Most figures are U.S. government data (public domain); loan default rates and athletics come from the Urban Institute Education Data Portal (ODC-By 1.0, attribution required) and founding years from Wikidata (CC0). O*NET data: CC BY 4.0, O*NET 31.0 (USDOL/ETA).","url":"https://educationguide.com/careers/nuclear-engineers","ids":{"soc_2018":"17-2161","slug":"nuclear-engineers"},"soc":"17-2161","slug":"nuclear-engineers","title":"Nuclear Engineers","description":"Conduct research on nuclear engineering projects or apply principles and theory of nuclear science to problems concerned with release, control, and use of nuclear energy and nuclear waste disposal.","wage":{"median":133970,"p10":92960,"p25":108690,"p75":163630,"p90":196290,"mean":140420,"jobs":15280,"year":"May 2025"},"states":{"AL":132570,"CA":172400,"DC":195190,"FL":135400,"GA":132440,"ID":133970,"IL":134510,"MA":145760,"MD":157960,"ME":123780,"MI":129940,"NC":131850,"NM":164300,"NY":141200,"PA":133250,"SC":126570,"TX":128340,"VA":128890,"WA":129480},"metros":[{"name":"Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk","states":"VA-NC","wage":110510,"jobs":1260},{"name":"Washington-Arlington-Alexandria","states":"DC-VA-MD-WV","wage":180360,"jobs":840},{"name":"Chicago-Naperville-Elgin","states":"IL-IN","wage":134510,"jobs":710},{"name":"Portland-South Portland","states":"ME","wage":120430,"jobs":370},{"name":"Richmond","states":"VA","wage":140460,"jobs":350},{"name":"Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue","states":"WA","wage":161050,"jobs":330},{"name":"Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia","states":"NC-SC","wage":131850,"jobs":240},{"name":"Knoxville","states":"TN","wage":179660,"jobs":240},{"name":"Kennewick-Richland","states":"WA","wage":156460,"jobs":230},{"name":"Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington","states":"PA-NJ-DE-MD","wage":140590,"jobs":230},{"name":"Boston-Cambridge-Newton","states":"MA-NH","wage":144830,"jobs":220},{"name":"Pittsburgh","states":"PA","wage":133250,"jobs":170}],"outlook":{"jobs2025":16.6,"jobs2035":16.6,"growth":0.4,"openings_k":0.8,"entry":"Bachelor's degree","experience":"None","training":"None"},"jobZone":4,"education":{"hs_or_less":0,"some_college_or_associate":0,"bachelors":0.809,"graduate":0.191},"interests":{"scores":{"R":4.92,"I":6.44,"A":2.05,"S":1.89,"E":2.53,"C":4.48},"code":"IRC"},"skills":["Science","Critical Thinking","Reading Comprehension","Active Listening","Writing"],"knowledge":["Engineering and Technology","Physics","Mathematics","English Language","Public Safety and Security"],"workStyles":["Attention to Detail","Dependability","Integrity","Cautiousness","Intellectual Curiosity"],"young":null,"fields":[],"sources":{"wage":"BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025 (U.S., states, metro areas)","outlook":"BLS Employment Projections 2025-35","onet":"O*NET 31.0: description, job zone, required education (worker survey), interests, skills, knowledge, work styles","young":"Census ACS 2020-2024 5-year microdata: employed ages 25-34 with at least a high school diploma; share with a bachelor's+, median earnings (not enrolled, earnings > 0), fields of bachelor's degree (EducationGuide calculation)"},"methodology":"https://educationguide.com/how-we-score#careers"}