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The differences between nuclear engineers and mechanical 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 $75,352 average annual salary of a mechanical engineer.
The top three skills for a nuclear engineer include security clearance, oversight and project management. The most important skills for a mechanical engineer are CAD, solidworks, and mechanical systems.
| Nuclear Engineer | Mechanical Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $99,677 | $75,352 |
| Hourly rate | $47.92 | $36.23 |
| Growth rate | -11% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 8,747 | 105,618 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 79% | Bachelor's Degree, 77% |
| 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.
Mechanical Engineers oversee the development of various mechanical devices in different industries. Most of the responsibilities will revolve around crafting, improving, or designing technologies by utilizing extensive expertise in the subject; they identify and detect errors, provide in-depth analysis, and resolve issues. They are often in designated offices, but they can also work on-site and travel if necessary. Furthermore, Mechanical Engineers usually function in a group or team setting, often supervised by personnel in higher positions.
Nuclear engineers and mechanical engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Nuclear Engineer | Mechanical Engineer | |
| Average salary | $99,677 | $75,352 |
| Salary range | Between $67,000 And $147,000 | Between $58,000 And $97,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Nevada | Washington |
| Best paying company | Baker Hughes | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Utilities | Energy |
There are a few differences between a nuclear engineer and a mechanical engineer in terms of educational background:
| Nuclear Engineer | Mechanical Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 79% | Bachelor's Degree, 77% |
| 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 mechanical engineers' demographics:
| Nuclear Engineer | Mechanical Engineer | |
| Average age | 43 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 87.3% Female, 12.7% | Male, 90.6% Female, 9.4% |
| 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, 3.1% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 7.8% Asian, 16.6% White, 68.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 5% |