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Nuclear Security Officers play a vital role in protecting sensitive nuclear materials and facilities. As of October 2025, the average salary for this position is $37,784 annually, or about $18 per hour. Compensation can differ based on various factors, including geographic location, years of experience, and the specific facility where the officer is employed.
Salaries for nuclear security officers can vary significantly across states. For example, states with a higher cost of living or those hosting major nuclear facilities tend to offer higher pay. Investigating these disparities can help job seekers pinpoint lucrative opportunities.
Entry-level nuclear security officers typically start at lower salary ranges, while those with several years of experience may command salaries well above the average. Additionally, specialized training and certifications can positively influence earnings.
Overall, pursuing a career as a nuclear security officer presents a unique opportunity to contribute to national safety while earning a competitive salary.
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The average nuclear security officer salary in Alaska, Massachusetts, and North Dakota are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average nuclear security officer salary states are Tennessee, Alabama, and Georgia.
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Dakota | $46,799 | $22.50 |
| 2 | Alaska | $52,518 | $25.25 |
| 3 | Washington | $43,892 | $21.10 |
| 4 | Nebraska | $40,470 | $19.46 |
| 5 | Minnesota | $40,271 | $19.36 |
| 6 | Maine | $39,248 | $18.87 |
| 7 | Nevada | $38,582 | $18.55 |
| 8 | Oregon | $41,305 | $19.86 |
| 9 | Massachusetts | $46,812 | $22.51 |
| 10 | District of Columbia | $51,207 | $24.62 |
| 11 | Illinois | $39,360 | $18.92 |
| 12 | Vermont | $37,703 | $18.13 |
| 13 | Missouri | $39,211 | $18.85 |
| 14 | South Dakota | $36,943 | $17.76 |
| 15 | Wisconsin | $37,901 | $18.22 |
| 16 | Wyoming | $38,442 | $18.48 |
| 17 | Maryland | $38,244 | $18.39 |
| 18 | New York | $38,567 | $18.54 |
| 19 | Oklahoma | $37,372 | $17.97 |
| 20 | Hawaii | $44,594 | $21.44 |
| 21 | Arizona | $35,530 | $17.08 |
| 22 | Utah | $39,109 | $18.80 |
| 23 | New Hampshire | $37,556 | $18.06 |
| 24 | Rhode Island | $35,237 | $16.94 |
| 25 | California | $42,322 | $20.35 |
| 26 | Connecticut | $36,467 | $17.53 |
| 27 | Colorado | $37,099 | $17.84 |
| 28 | Kansas | $36,570 | $17.58 |
| 29 | Pennsylvania | $34,747 | $16.71 |
| 30 | Virginia | $36,165 | $17.39 |
| 31 | Texas | $34,891 | $16.77 |
| 32 | Idaho | $33,012 | $15.87 |
| 33 | North Carolina | $34,902 | $16.78 |
| 34 | New Mexico | $33,134 | $15.93 |
| 35 | Indiana | $34,568 | $16.62 |
| 36 | New Jersey | $34,711 | $16.69 |
| 37 | Arkansas | $32,711 | $15.73 |
| 38 | Michigan | $34,093 | $16.39 |
| 39 | Iowa | $32,916 | $15.82 |
| 40 | Ohio | $32,820 | $15.78 |
| 41 | Alabama | $31,640 | $15.21 |
| 42 | South Carolina | $33,313 | $16.02 |
| 43 | Delaware | $33,333 | $16.03 |
| 44 | Kentucky | $32,396 | $15.57 |
| 45 | Louisiana | $32,824 | $15.78 |
| 46 | Mississippi | $28,763 | $13.83 |
| 47 | Georgia | $31,333 | $15.06 |
| 48 | Tennessee | $31,768 | $15.27 |
| 49 | Montana | $32,954 | $15.84 |
| 50 | West Virginia | $29,202 | $14.04 |
| 51 | Florida | $30,348 | $14.59 |
The highest-paying cities for nuclear security officers are San Clemente, CA, Decatur, IL, and Middletown, PA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Clemente, CA | $41,946 | $20.17 |
| 2 | Decatur, IL | $38,691 | $18.60 |
| 3 | Middletown, PA | $34,910 | $16.78 |
| 4 | Cleburne, TX | $34,751 | $16.71 |
| 5 | Decatur, AL | $31,663 | $15.22 |
A nuclear security officer's salary ranges from $29,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $48,000 at the 90th percentile.

| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $48,000 | $4,000 | $23 |
| 75th Percentile | $43,000 | $3,583 | $21 |
| Average | $37,784 | $3,149 | $18 |
| 25th Percentile | $33,000 | $2,750 | $16 |
| 10th Percentile | $29,000 | $2,417 | $14 |
The highest paying types of nuclear security officers are non-commissioned officer, officer, and security specialist.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Non-Commissioned Officer | $104,839 | $8,737 | $50.40 | 69,414 |
| Officer | $52,506 | $4,376 | $25.24 | 114,267 |
| Security/Customer Service | $32,115 | $2,676 | $15.44 | 224,564 |
| Security | $31,836 | $2,653 | $15.31 | 150,586 |
| Security Supervisor | $41,818 | $3,485 | $20.10 | 87,236 |
| Security Agent | $35,179 | $2,932 | $16.91 | 125,019 |
Top companies hiring nuclear security officers now:
Nuclear security officer salaries at Constellation Energy Partners and Exelon are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average nuclear security officer salary at companies like Dominion Energy and Entergy are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Constellation Energy Partners | $51,130 | $24.58 |
| 2 | Exelon | $49,220 | $23.66 |
| 3 | Dominion Energy | $41,868 | $20.13 |
| 4 | Entergy | $38,803 | $18.66 |
| 5 | Us Navy | $38,666 | $18.59 |
| 6 | Energy Inc. | $37,618 | $18.09 |
| 7 | Southern | $36,525 | $17.56 |
| 8 | Edison International | $36,135 | $17.37 |
| 9 | Tennessee Valley Authority | $35,834 | $17.23 |
| 10 | Allied Universal | $35,774 | $17.20 |
| 11 | G4s Secure Solutions International Inc. | $35,698 | $17.16 |
| 12 | G4S | $35,318 | $16.98 |
The average nuclear security officer salary has risen by $8,700 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average nuclear security officer earned $29,084 annually, but today, they earn $37,784 a year. That works out to a 20% change in pay for nuclear security officers over the last decade.
Compare nuclear security officer salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Compare nuclear security officer salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $37,800 | $18.17 | +4.4% |
| 2024 | $36,100 | $17.36 | +4.0% |
| 2023 | $34,700 | $16.67 | +5.6% |
| 2022 | $32,700 | $15.74 | +4.2% |
| 2021 | $31,400 | $15.08 | +4.4% |
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allied Universal Security | Nuclear Security Officer-Armed | Jenkinsville, SC | 06/25/2025 | $46,670 |
| Job Listingsallied Universal | Nuclear Security Officer-Armed | Jenkinsville, SC | 06/24/2025 | $46,670 |
| Security Director In San Diego, California | Nuclear Security Officer-Armed | Jenkinsville, SC | 06/24/2025 | $46,670 |
| Allied Universal Security | Nuclear Security Officer-Armed | Monticello, MN | 06/23/2025 | $42,742 |
| Msccn | Nuclear Security Officer | Marseilles, IL | 06/22/2025 | $51,591 |
| Constellation Energy Corp | Nuclear Security Officer | Clinton, IL | 06/20/2025 | $50,088 |
| Allied Universal | Nuclear Security Officer-Armed | Shippingport, PA | 06/19/2025 | $52,613 |
| Constellation | Nuclear Security Officer | Lusby, MD | 06/19/2025 | $68,934 |
| Constellation | Nuclear Security Officer | Marseilles, IL | 06/19/2025 | $51,591 |
| Constellation Energy Corp | Nuclear Security Officer | Lusby, MD | 06/19/2025 | $68,871 |
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