Nuclear & Radiological Engineering Average Income
A nuclear engineer is a professional who researches, designs and develops processes related to using nuclear and radiological energy resources. One of the highest-paid engineering disciplines, these professionals can work in a variety of industries and perform different types of engineering, such as the designing instruments or systems that use or produce nuclear and radiological energy. Average salaries were reported by PayScale in January 2011 based 580 nuclear engineers reporting their wages.
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Qualifications
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Employers require at least a bachelor's degree in nuclear engineering or a discipline related to the types of systems and instruments nuclear engineers design. Other engineers, such as electrical, mechanical or environmental engineers, can work in this occupation as well. Because of the complexity of this type of engineering, many of these professionals pursue a master's or doctorate degree, which can increase employment opportunities.
Average Income
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The average salary for a nuclear engineer ranges from $61,231 to $98,735 per year. Some employers offer commissions ranging from $690 to $9,826 per year. Bonuses and profit sharing are also offered by some employers based on the nuclear engineer's performance and the organization's overall profitability. Average bonuses range from $2,049 to $8,155 per year, and average profit sharing ranges from $1,022 to $5,064 per year. The total average income for nuclear engineers range from $62,843 to $102,987 per year.
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Credentials
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Of those reporting their wages to PayScale, those who received a doctorate degree in engineering earn average salaries ranging from $25,000 to $120,000 per year. Those who obtained a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering earn average salaries ranging from $61,042 to $114,272 per year. Some nuclear engineers obtain credentials such as the certified professional engineer and earn average salaries ranging from $81,715 to $112,256 per year. Those who obtained a professional engineer license earn average salaries ranging from $82,272 to $103,919.
Industries
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The most popular industries for these professionals include energy and utility, the military and armed forces, engineering consulting, and electric distribution control and power management. Of these popular industries, the highest wages were reported in the nuclear energy and allied industry, where these professionals earn average salaries ranging from 74,339 to $109,539 per year. The military and armed forces paid average salaries ranging from $64,772 to $102,411 per year. and engineering consulting firms paid average salaries ranging from $68,634 to $102,801 per year.
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