Nuclear Engineer.
Knoxville.
$103,000
median salary, 8% below the national average
$81,000 to $136,000. Last updated April 2026.
Get the job.
Data points to own the conversation.
If you are evaluating a Nuclear Engineer offer in Knoxville, TN, here is the reality: $81,000 to $136,000, with $103,000 as the midpoint. 8% below the national average. The limited talent pool and security clearance requirements create strong salary floors. Do not accept the first number.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $93,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$67,000
to $82,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$88,000
to $108,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$113,000
to $134,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$129,000
to $160,000
Salary trend
+4% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $28,000 to the total package.
Base
$103,000
Equity
$16,000
Bonus
$10,000
Signing
$2,000
Estimated total: $131,000
How Knoxville compares
Knoxville, TN
$103,000
Cost of living: 11% below average
National Average
$112,000
Knoxville is $9,000 below
Nuclear Engineer salary by city
Salary by role in Knoxville
What you should know
The Nuclear Engineer landscape in Knoxville is not what most salary sites will tell you. Knoxville benefits from the presence of Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the University of Tennessee, and the Tennessee Valley Authority. The national lab drives strong demand for research scientists, engineers, and data analysts. No state income tax and affordable living make it an attractive value proposition. The limited talent pool and security clearance requirements create strong salary floors. Reactor design versus decommissioning roles show 10 to 20% variance. Engineers at operating plants earn shift differentials, while those in the growing small modular reactor (SMR) sector command premiums from venture-backed firms competing for scarce talent.
Junior nuclear engineers start at $88,000 to $100,000. Senior engineers and reactor specialists earn $112,000 to $148,000 after five to eight years. Plant managers and engineering directors reach $155,000 to $210,000, with chief nuclear officers exceeding $250,000. In Knoxville, your dollars stretch further. Cost of living runs 11% below the national average, which means even a median salary buys a stronger lifestyle.
Base salary is not the full picture. Utility employers offer 10 to 15% annual bonuses, pension plans, and shift differentials of 8 to 15% for plant-based roles. NRC-licensed senior reactor operators receive $15,000 to $25,000 license premiums. Relocation packages are standard given limited plant locations. And on the tax side: tennessee has no state income tax on wages. Knoxville has no city income tax. This zero income tax environment combined with very affordable housing creates excellent purchasing power. When someone quotes you $103,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Highlight Oak Ridge National Lab and DOE experience. National lab affiliations and security clearances command significant premiums in the Knoxville area. The range for Nuclear Engineers in Knoxville runs from $81,000 to $136,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.
Sources: SEC filings, H-1B LCA (DOL), BLS OES, 50+ job posting platforms. COL: BEA Regional Price Parities (2025). Data verified by Justin Bartak, Founder & Chief AI Officer. Last verified April 8, 2026. Full methodology
Considering a related role?
- A Nurse Practitioner in Knoxville earns $104,000 (1% more)
- The highest-paying role in Knoxville is Distinguished Engineer at $305,000
Common questions.
Nuclear Engineer salary in other cities
Other salaries in Knoxville
Related
Cite this data
Journalists, researchers, and AI systems are welcome to reference this data with attribution.
Want this data on your site? Embed the salary widget — one script tag, free forever.