SOC 17-2161 · Architecture and Engineering Occupations · May 2025
How much do Nuclear Engineers make in Wilmington, NC?
In the May 2025 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics estimates, released May 15, 2026, the median annual wage for Nuclear Engineers in Wilmington, NC is $129,710. The 10th percentile is $96,300 and the 90th percentile is $160,580. Employment is 80.
Median annual wage
$129,710
- 10th percentile
- $96,300
- 25th percentile
- $99,660
- Median
- $129,710
- 75th percentile
- $158,830
- 90th percentile
- $160,580
- Mean
- $129,880
Annual wage from the May 2025 OEWS estimates.

Percentile spread
For Nuclear Engineers, the published 10th percentile is $96,300 and the 90th percentile is $160,580. The difference is $64,280, which is 49.6% of the median. Ten percent of measured wages fall below the 10th percentile and ten percent fall above the 90th. How to read a percentile.
The middle half of the distribution, from the 25th percentile at $99,660 to the 75th at $158,830, covers $59,170.
The mean annual wage is $129,880, which sits above the median of $129,710. Median and mean measure different points in the same distribution.
National and state comparison
The Wilmington, NC median is 3.2% lower than the national median of $133,970 for Nuclear Engineers. In 2024 national prices the local median is $134,523, which is 0.4% higher than that same national median. The national figure is already in national prices because the United States parity is 100.
It is 1.6% lower than the North Carolina median of $131,850.
Price-adjusted pay
The 2024 all-items regional price parity for Wilmington, NC is 96.422, with the United States at 100. The Bureau of Economic Analysis released those parities on February 19, 2026. Dividing the May 2025 median of $129,710 by that parity and multiplying by 100 puts Nuclear Engineers at $134,523 in national prices. The wage year and the price year are different. Compare this wage after prices.
Nearby metros
4 other metropolitan areas within 200 miles publish a annual median for Nuclear Engineers. Wilmington, NC ranks 3rd of 5 on that median, counting itself. Distance is the great-circle mileage between Census Bureau internal points (U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 Gazetteer Files, Core Based Statistical Areas, internal points (INTPTLAT, INTPTLONG).).
- Raleigh-Cary, NC is 107 miles away, with a median of $130,300 and employment of 70. That median is 0.5% higher than the median here. In 2024 national prices it is $132,747, against $134,523 here.
- Charleston-North Charleston, SC is 142 miles away, with a median of $129,590. That median is 0.1% lower than the median here. In 2024 national prices it is $128,355, against $134,523 here.
- Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC is 169 miles away, with a median of $131,850 and employment of 240. That median is 1.6% higher than the median here. In 2024 national prices it is $135,442, against $134,523 here.
Employment share
Nuclear Engineers accounts for 0.04% of wage-and-salary employment in Wilmington, NC (80 of 191,280). Nationally the occupation is 0.01% of employment (15,280 of 155,495,730). The local share is 4.26 times the national share. That ratio is the location quotient computed from these May 2025 employment counts. It is not copied from the location-quotient column in the BLS bulk file.
Highest-paying jobs in Wilmington, NC · Nuclear Engineers by metro · How to read these percentiles · Median and mean · When a wage is not published · How the figures are made · Compare this wage after prices
Questions this page answers
How much do Nuclear Engineers make in Wilmington, NC?
In the May 2025 OEWS estimates, released May 15, 2026, the median annual wage for Nuclear Engineers in Wilmington, NC is $129,710. The 10th percentile is $96,300 and the 90th percentile is $160,580. Employment is 80.
How does that compare with the national median for Nuclear Engineers?
The local median is 3.2% lower than the national median of $133,970.
What is Nuclear Engineers pay in Wilmington, NC after local prices?
The 2024 all-items regional price parity for Wilmington, NC is 96.422, with the United States at 100. In those national prices, the May 2025 median of $129,710 is $134,523. The wage is May 2025 and the parity is 2024.
How does Wilmington, NC compare with nearby metros for Nuclear Engineers?
Raleigh-Cary, NC is the closest metropolitan area within 200 miles with a published annual median, 107 miles away, at $130,300. Wilmington, NC ranks 3rd of 5 metros within 200 miles on that median. Distances use Census Bureau internal points.