Environmental Engineer salary in Richmond, VA
Environmental Engineers in the Richmond, VA metro area earn a median of $100,760 a year ($48.44 an hour), based on BLS data for 130 workers.
Pay ranges from $68,100 for the lowest-paid 10% to $159,770 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $107,110. Pay here is 4% lower than the Virginia statewide median of $104,940. There are 0.20 environmental engineers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $107,910, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for environmental engineers in Richmond, VA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $68,100 | $32.74 |
| 25th percentile | $79,910 | $38.42 |
| Median | $100,760 | $48.44 |
| 75th percentile | $119,980 | $57.68 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $159,770 | $76.81 |
| Average (mean) | $107,910 | $51.88 |
Half of environmental engineers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $8,396.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,198.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,875.38 |
| Weekly | $1,937.69 |
| Hourly | $48.44 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Environmental Engineer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $120,580 | 810 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $102,110 | 270 |
Highest-paying states for environmental engineers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Louisiana | $130,510 |
| California | $130,410 |
| Oregon | $127,100 |
| Washington | $125,460 |
| Texas | $123,060 |
| Nebraska | $120,620 |
| Idaho | $117,520 |
| Florida | $116,840 |
| Massachusetts | $115,800 |
| Minnesota | $115,750 |
See Environmental Engineer pay in every state or the Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Richmond, VA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $91,300 | $43.90 |
| Electrical Engineer | $116,760 | $56.14 |
| Industrial Engineer | $103,180 | $49.60 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $104,130 | $50.06 |
| Nuclear Engineer | $140,460 | $67.53 |
| Engineers, All Other | $107,990 | $51.92 |
| Materials Engineer | $102,440 | $49.25 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $102,750 | $49.40 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $120,370 | $57.87 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $132,270 | $63.59 |
| Chemical Engineer | $117,150 | $56.32 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $105,530 | $50.74 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $105,680 | $50.81 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $85,510 | $41.11 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Richmond, VA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 17-2081. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a environmental engineer make in Richmond, VA?
The median salary for environmental engineers in the Richmond, VA metro area is $100,760 a year, or $48.44 an hour. Pay ranges from $68,100 for the lowest-paid 10% to $159,770 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid environmental engineers make in Richmond, VA?
The top 10% of environmental engineers in the Richmond, VA metro area earn at least $159,770 a year. The top 25% earn $119,980 or more.
What is the starting pay for environmental engineers in Richmond, VA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $68,100 a year, and a quarter of environmental engineers earn $79,910 or less.
How many environmental engineers work in Richmond, VA?
About 130 environmental engineers are employed in the Richmond, VA metro area, not counting the self-employed.