EngineeringUpdated Q1 2026

Nuclear Engineer Salary
in Buffalo, NY

Research and develop processes and systems related to nuclear energy and radiation. Median salary in Buffalo: $115K/year. Data from BLS, O*NET, and H-1B disclosures.

Median salary
$115K
per year
Take-home: $73K

Salary range in Buffalo

Entry level (25th)$87,000
Median (50th)$115,000
Senior (75th)$145,000
Top earner (90th)$182,000
Data freshness

Figures represent annual base salary in Buffalo, New York. Reviewed by SalaryOptics Editorial Β· How we calculate this β†’

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What the numbers say for Buffalo

Analysis derived from the salary, COL, tax, and labor-market figures above β€” specific to this role and city.

8% discount vs national median

Nuclear Engineers in Buffalo earn approximately 8% lower than the US national median for this role β€” a $10,000 discount on annual base salary. Buffalo's lower wage level partially reflects the area's cost-of-living index of 88 (US avg = 100).

Cost-of-living adjusted picture

Adjusted for Buffalo's cost-of-living index (88), the median Nuclear Engineer salary buys the equivalent of $130,682 in a US-average-cost city. That's $5,682 more purchasing power than the national median β€” a meaningful real-wage advantage.

Primarily on-site role

Only 15% of Nuclear Engineer positions offer remote flexibility, meaning the Buffalo salary above represents what local employers actually pay β€” not a remote-anywhere rate. Geographic constraints reinforce the local market, so the salary range above is more directly applicable than for remote-friendly roles.

Key facts for Buffalo

Median salary
$115K
annual
Take-home pay
$73K
after fed/state tax
COL index
88
100 = US avg
State income tax
6.85%
effective rate
Avg 1BR rent
$1,050
per month
YoY growth
+2.2%
salary trend

Salary forecast: Buffalo Nuclear Engineer to 2030

Based on BLS 2022–2032 Employment Projections and WEF Future of Jobs Report 2026. At current growth rates, median salary reaches $115K by 2030.

Salary trend & forecast β€” Buffalo

Historical (2019–2025) + projected to 2030 based on BLS growth rates

HistoricalProjected
Nuclear Engineer salary trend 2019–2030PROJECTED β†’$96K$105K$113K$122K$130K201920212023202520272029
2026
$118K
projected
2027
$121K
projected
2028
$124K
projected
2029
$127K
projected
2030
$130K
projected

Projections based on BLS Employment Projections 2022–2032 CAGR and WEF Jobs Report 2025. Not financial advice.

YearProjected median salaryvs today
2027 projected$115,000+$0
2028 projected$115,000+$0
2029 projected$115,000+$0
2030 projected$115,000+$0

Projections use compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from BLS occupational outlook data. Actual salaries may vary.

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Nuclear Engineer Salary in Buffalo, New York: Complete Guide (2026)

The median Nuclear Engineer salary in Buffalo, NY is $115,000 per year as of Q1 2026. This figure represents the midpoint of all reported compensation for this role in the Buffalo–NY metropolitan area, based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics, H-1B visa disclosures from the Department of Labor, and O*NET occupational data.

Salary range for Nuclear Engineer in Buffalo

Entry-level Nuclear Engineers in Buffalo with 0–2 years of experience typically earn between $87,000 and $115,000 annually. Mid-career professionals with 3–7 years command $115,000 to $145,000, while senior-level practitioners with 8+ years of experience regularly earn $145,000 to $182,000 or more.

Cost of living in Buffalo for Nuclear Engineers

Buffalo has a cost of living index of 88 compared to the US national average of 100. This means your salary goes approximately 12% further in Buffalo than the national average. New York has a 6.85% state income tax rate.

Education requirements for Nuclear Engineer

Bachelor's in Nuclear Engineering. 15% of these roles offer some remote flexibility.

Nuclear Engineer salary in nearby cities

CityMedian salaryCOL index
Buffalo (current)$115K88
New York City$234K187
Rochester$119K90
Yonkers$206K165
Syracuse$110K88
Albany$123K98