SOC 17-2161 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Nuclear Engineers — Portland
Portland-South Portland, ME
Median pay for this occupation in Portland, ME is $120,430 a year, trailing the national median of $133,970 by 10.1%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Portland, ME is $120,430 a year, trailing the national median of $133,970 by 10.1%. Half of workers earn between $107,060 and $135,260. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $78,440 and the ninetieth at $143,210.
The area has 370 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 13.03 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 47th of 501 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $78,440 | −41.4% |
| 25th | $107,060 | −20.1% |
| Median (50th) | $120,430 | −10.1% |
| 75th | $135,260 | +1.0% |
| 90th | $143,210 | +6.9% |
| Mean | $118,620 | −11.5% |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Portland run 2.9% below the national average, so the median of $120,430 goes as far as $124,027 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 7.4% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$120,430as reported by BLSLocal price level
97.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$124,027US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $120,430 a year, 10.1% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $78,440 to $143,210 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 370 jobs in this occupation.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Nuclear Engineers in Portland, ME?
The median annual wage is $120,430, or $57.90 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $133,970, so pay in Portland, ME is 10.1% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Portland, ME earns more than $143,210 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $78,440 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 370 jobs in this occupation in Portland, ME. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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