Nuclear Engineers: 15,280 jobs, median pay $133,970 · where the jobs are in the U.S.

15,280

Jobs in the U.S.

People employed, May 2025

$133,970

Median pay a year

Middle half: $108,690–$163,630

800

Annual openings

10-year change: +0.4%

LCA filings, last 4 quarters

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 23 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings

Virginia Beach–Chesapeake–Norfolk, VA–NCMedian pay $110,510 · LCA filings 01,260$110,5100

Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVMedian pay $180,360 · LCA filings 5840$180,3605

Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INMedian pay $134,510 · LCA filings 9710$134,5109

Portland–South Portland, MEMedian pay $120,430 · LCA filings 0370$120,4300

Richmond, VAMedian pay $140,460 · LCA filings 0350$140,4600

Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WAMedian pay $161,050 · LCA filings 0330$161,0500

Charlotte–Concord–Gastonia, NC–SCMedian pay $131,850 · LCA filings 0240$131,8500

Knoxville, TNMedian pay $179,660 · LCA filings 11240$179,66011

Kennewick–Richland, WAMedian pay $156,460 · LCA filings 0230$156,4600

Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDMedian pay $140,590 · LCA filings 1230$140,5901

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings

Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVEmployment 840 · LCA filings 5$180,3608405

Knoxville, TNEmployment 240 · LCA filings 11$179,66024011

Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WAEmployment 330 · LCA filings 0$161,0503300

Kennewick–Richland, WAEmployment 230 · LCA filings 0$156,4602300

Chattanooga, TN–GAEmployment 100 · LCA filings 0$146,8501000

Metro areas with the most LCA filings

Labor Condition Applications filed by employers with the U.S. Department of Labor, Apr 2025–Mar 2026. They’re used in the H-1B process and show filing history, not hires or current job openings.

Metro areaLCA filingsEmployers with LCA filingsEmployment

Knoxville, TNEmployers with LCA filings 3 · Employment 240113240

Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INEmployers with LCA filings 4 · Employment 71094710

Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVEmployers with LCA filings 4 · Employment 84054840

Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHEmployers with LCA filings 2 · Employment 22042220

Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach, FLEmployers with LCA filings 2 · Employment 303230

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV

Virginia Beach–Chesapeake–Norfolk, VA–NCLevel II $99,923 · Level III $114,982 · Level IV $130,042$84,864$99,923$114,982$130,042

Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVLevel II $147,368 · Level III $168,896 · Level IV $190,445$125,819$147,368$168,896$190,445

Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INLevel II $123,531 · Level III $141,440 · Level IV $159,370$105,602$123,531$141,440$159,370

Portland–South Portland, MELevel II $105,394 · Level III $118,498 · Level IV $131,602$92,290$105,394$118,498$131,602

Richmond, VALevel II $129,293 · Level III $146,744 · Level IV $164,174$111,862$129,293$146,744$164,174

Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WALevel II $145,850 · Level III $163,925 · Level IV $181,979$127,795$145,850$163,925$181,979

Charlotte–Concord–Gastonia, NC–SCLevel II $121,451 · Level III $136,406 · Level IV $151,362$106,496$121,451$136,406$151,362

Knoxville, TNLevel II $145,808 · Level III $185,349 · Level IV $224,890$106,267$145,808$185,349$224,890

Kennewick–Richland, WALevel II $135,325 · Level III $157,539 · Level IV $179,754$113,110$135,325$157,539$179,754

Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDLevel II $121,389 · Level III $138,549 · Level IV $155,730$104,208$121,389$138,549$155,730

Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHLevel II $108,909 · Level III $133,266 · Level IV $157,602$84,573$108,909$133,266$157,602

Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach, FLLevel II $118,976 · Level III $136,198 · Level IV $153,442$101,733$118,976$136,198$153,442

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

Related majors

Majors most closely related to this occupation. International graduates: 2024–25 academic year.

MajorInternational graduatesSTEM OPT

Nuclear EngineeringCIP 14.23STEM OPT · up to 36 months99STEM OPT · up to 36 months

See Nuclear Engineers in every metro area

All 23 metro areas, pay in each, related majors, schools in each job market, and employers with LCA filing history.

Employers with LCA filings for this occupation

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Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology