Salary distribution
Where California nuclear engineers fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $165,900 and $187,430, with a median of $167,660.
Nuclear Engineers pay by experience level in California
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Nuclear Engineers in California, by industry
Median offered wage across 4 certified filings, grouped by NAICS industry sector. Education leads with a median of $89,116.
| Industry | Largest employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education | University of California, Berkeley | 1 | $89,116 |
| Professional services | UT-BATTELLE, LLC (OAK RIDGE NATIONAL LABORATORY) | 1 | $103,594 |
| Energy and utilities | KAIROS POWER LLC | 1 | $159,093 |
| Manufacturing | EX-Fusion America Inc | 1 | $108,098 |
Sectors with at least 25 filings link to a dedicated page with full distribution and sample employer breakdown.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in California over the past 2 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2024 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Bachelor's degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.8 / 5
Engineering and Technology
Knowledge
- 4.5 / 5
Mathematics
Knowledge
- 4.5 / 5
Problem Sensitivity
Ability
- 4.5 / 5
Physics
Knowledge
- 4.1 / 5
Science
Basic skill
- 4.1 / 5
Written Comprehension
Ability
- 4.1 / 5
Oral Expression
Ability
- 4.1 / 5
Oral Comprehension
Ability
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Initiate corrective actions or order plant shutdowns in emergency situations.
- 02
Monitor nuclear facility operations to identify any design, construction, or operation practices that violate safety regulations and laws or could jeopardize safe operations.
- 03
Design or develop nuclear equipment, such as reactor cores, radiation shielding, or associated instrumentation or control mechanisms.
- 04
Examine accidents to obtain data for use in design of preventive measures.
- 05
Direct operating or maintenance activities of nuclear power plants to ensure efficiency and conformity to safety standards.
- 06
Recommend preventive measures to be taken in the handling of nuclear technology, based on data obtained from operations monitoring or from evaluation of test results.
- 07
Write operational instructions to be used in nuclear plant operation or nuclear fuel or waste handling and disposal.
- 08
Conduct environmental studies on topics such as nuclear power generation, nuclear waste disposal, or nuclear weapon deployment.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
-0.6%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Slower than average
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
Sponsored
Build the skills employers list for Nuclear Engineers
Online courses from licensed providers. We may earn a commission when you enroll. The commission does not influence our rankings or wage data.
Explore coursesCompare Nuclear Engineers pay across nearby states
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Nuclear Engineers in California?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Nuclear Engineers in California is $167,660.
- How does California compare to the national median for Nuclear Engineers?
- The California median is +37.2% versus the BLS national figure of $122,242.
- What is the salary range for Nuclear Engineers in California?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $132,510 and the 90th-percentile at $201,910, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Nuclear Engineers a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment declining by -0.6% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Nuclear Engineers?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Bachelor's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.