How to Become a Nuclear Engineer in District of Columbia: Salary & Requirements (2026)
Quick answer: The median nuclear engineer salary in District of Columbia is $195,190 per year - 46% above the national median of $133,970 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The career requires a 4-year degree: ABET-accredited bachelor’s in nuclear or mechanical engineering.
Nuclear Engineer Salary in District of Columbia
| Wage level | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia entry level (10th percentile) | $128,960 |
| District of Columbia 25th-75th percentile | $164,050 - $204,940 |
| District of Columbia median | $195,190 |
| District of Columbia top earners (90th percentile) | $207,480 |
| U.S. median | $133,970 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. State employment: 230.
The District of Columbia Job Market: Nuclear Engineer
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Employed in District of Columbia | 230 |
| Jobs per 1,000 in the state | 0.33 |
| Concentration vs U.S. (location quotient) | 3.32 |
| Mean annual wage in District of Columbia | $180,480 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. With a location quotient of 3.32, District of Columbia employs nuclear engineers at a noticeably higher concentration than the national average: a strong local market for the credential.
Requirements in District of Columbia
The education path is national - ABET-accredited bachelor’s in nuclear or mechanical engineering - while licensing runs through District of Columbia’s own boards: PE license for some roles; NRC licensing applies to operator positions. Verify current requirements with the District of Columbia licensing authority before enrolling, as details change. The step-by-step path (degree, exams, first role, advancement) is covered in the national guide: How to Become a Nuclear Engineer.
Salary Nationwide
| Percentile | Annual wage |
|---|---|
| 10th | $92,960 |
| 25th | $108,690 |
| 50th (median) | $133,970 |
| 75th | $163,630 |
| 90th | $196,290 |
Job Outlook
| Year | Employment |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 15,400 |
| 2034 projected | 15,300 |
| Percent change | -1.1% |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a nuclear engineer make in District of Columbia?
The median annual wage for nuclear engineers in District of Columbia is $195,190 (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 46% above the national median of $133,970.
How do I become a nuclear engineer in District of Columbia?
The core path is the same nationwide - ABET-accredited bachelor's in nuclear or mechanical engineering - with licensing administered at the state level: PE license for some roles; NRC licensing applies to operator positions. See the steps below.
How many nuclear engineers work in District of Columbia?
BLS counts about 230 nuclear engineers employed in District of Columbia (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Nuclear Engineer in Nearby States
- Nuclear Engineer in Alabama
- Nuclear Engineer in California
- Nuclear Engineer in Florida
- Nuclear Engineer in Georgia
Related
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 - Nuclear Engineers (SOC 17-2161), District of Columbia and national
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, 2024-34
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |