☢️ Official Bureau of Labor Statistics & Tech Benchmark (2026)

Nuclear Engineer Salary in San Francisco, CA

Detailed compensation breakdown, percentiles, and market demand for Nuclear Engineer in San Francisco, CA.

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Verified Compensation Research: Analytically verified by Jobflixs Labor Analytics Team • Primary Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), SEC 10-K filings & H-1B Disclosures (2026). View Methodology →
Demand: +19% (High Demand)
$186,300
/ year (Median Base Pay)
💵 Hourly Equivalent: $89.56/hr
📊 80% Range: $135,240 – $269,100
📍 Regional Multiplier: +38% vs National Baseline
10th % Entry $135,240
25th % Junior $160,770
50th % Median $186,300
75th % Senior $227,700
90th % Top 10% $269,100
Base Annual Salary $186,300
Target Annual Bonus $22,356
Annual Stock / Equity $40,986
Total Compensation (TC) $249,642
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Fact-Checked & Methodologically Verified by the SalaryPulse Research Team.
Data Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS Survey), DOL Certified H-1B Disclosures & Public SEC 10-K Filings. Learn about our formula →
Live Opportunities (Salary Transparency)

Verified Nuclear Engineer Openings in San Francisco, CA

Top employers actively hiring near or above the $186,300/yr median benchmark.

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Salary Progression by Experience Level in San Francisco, CA

Estimated pay progression across career stages for Nuclear Engineer

Entry-Level (0 - 2 yrs)

Junior Nuclear Engineer

Recent graduates and early career entrants.

Median Pay
$135,240
Mid-Level (2 - 5 yrs)

Nuclear Engineer

Autonomous execution and domain proficiency.

Median Pay
$186,300
Senior (5 - 8 yrs)

Senior Nuclear Engineer

System architecture, mentorship, and project leadership.

Median Pay
$227,700
Lead / Principal (8+ yrs)

Staff / Principal

Strategic direction and cross-functional technical decisions.

Median Pay
$269,100

Nuclear Engineer Salary in Other US Locations

Compare regional earnings and cost-of-living adjustments

San Francisco, CA

COL Index: 179.5%
$186,300

San Jose, CA

COL Index: 174.2%
$183,600

New York, NY

COL Index: 186%
$180,900

Seattle, WA

COL Index: 148%
$172,800

Hawaii

COL Index: 179%
$172,800

Oakland, CA

COL Index: 155%
$172,800

Boston, MA

COL Index: 149%
$168,750

California

COL Index: 142%
$168,750

Role Profile & Career Requirements

A Nuclear Engineer leads technical design, operational execution, and industry best practices in their specialized sector. High demand and strong compensation growth projected through 2026-2032.

Required Education
Bachelor's, Master's, or Industry Professional License
Experience Benchmark
2-6 years
10-Year Projected Growth
+19% (High Demand)

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Nuclear Engineer make in San Francisco, CA?

The median annual salary for a Nuclear Engineer in San Francisco, CA is $186,300, with entry-level professionals earning around $135,240 and top 10% senior specialists earning up to $269,100.

What is the average hourly rate for a Nuclear Engineer in San Francisco, CA?

On average, a Nuclear Engineer in San Francisco, CA makes approximately $89.56 per hour based on a standard 2,080-hour work year.

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