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The differences between nuclear engineers and engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a nuclear engineer has an average salary of $99,677, which is higher than the $92,077 average annual salary of an engineer.
The top three skills for a nuclear engineer include security clearance, oversight and project management. The most important skills for an engineer are python, cloud, and C++.
| Nuclear Engineer | Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $99,677 | $92,077 |
| Hourly rate | $47.92 | $44.27 |
| Growth rate | -11% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 8,747 | 618,207 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4.33 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 79% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Average age | 43 | 41 |
| Years of experience | - | 6 |
A nuclear engineer directs the operation and maintenance of operational nuclear power plants. Nuclear engineers make sure that the power plants are efficient and in conformity with the safety standards. They research and create instruments, systems, and processes to derive the benefits of nuclear radiation and energy. Their duties and responsibilities include finding the medical and industrial uses of radioactive materials. They also perform other tasks related to nuclear technology and radiation.
Engineers are highly trained professionals who determine the feasibility of various projects, usually related to the construction industry. They are considered experts in mathematics and science, two disciplines that they need to use in designing and coming up with plans for projects. They should also be well-versed in different construction or industrial materials, and they ensure that appropriate materials are used for the project. They also ensure that the projects meet the requirements of the groups that hired them. They create spaces that would both address the needs of the end-users and the industry standards. They also ensure that the projects they make would stand the test of time.
Nuclear engineers and engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Nuclear Engineer | Engineer | |
| Average salary | $99,677 | $92,077 |
| Salary range | Between $67,000 And $147,000 | Between $65,000 And $130,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | Huntsville, AL |
| Highest paying state | Nevada | New Hampshire |
| Best paying company | Baker Hughes | Fort Bend County |
| Best paying industry | Utilities | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a nuclear engineer and an engineer in terms of educational background:
| Nuclear Engineer | Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 79% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Most common major | Mechanical Engineering | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | Georgia Institute of Technology | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between nuclear engineers' and engineers' demographics:
| Nuclear Engineer | Engineer | |
| Average age | 43 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 87.3% Female, 12.7% | Male, 86.3% Female, 13.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.1% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 10.3% Asian, 17.2% White, 63.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% | Black or African American, 3.3% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.1% Asian, 15.0% White, 67.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 5% |