Nuclear Engineer salary in Richmond, VA
Nuclear Engineers in the Richmond, VA metro area earn a median of $140,460 a year ($67.53 an hour), based on BLS data for 350 workers.
Pay ranges from $101,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $175,040 for the top 10%. That is 5% higher than the national median of $133,970. Pay here is 9% higher than the Virginia statewide median of $128,890. There are 0.53 nuclear engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 5.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $146,900, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for nuclear engineers in Richmond, VA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $101,870 | $48.98 |
| 25th percentile | $129,450 | $62.24 |
| Median | $140,460 | $67.53 |
| 75th percentile | $169,320 | $81.40 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $175,040 | $84.16 |
| Average (mean) | $146,900 | $70.63 |
Half of nuclear 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 | $11,705 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,852.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,402.31 |
| Weekly | $2,701.15 |
| Hourly | $67.53 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Nuclear Engineer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $180,360 | 840 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $110,510 | 1,260 |
Highest-paying states for nuclear engineers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $195,190 |
| California | $172,400 |
| New Mexico | $164,300 |
| Maryland | $157,960 |
| Massachusetts | $145,760 |
| New York | $141,200 |
| Florida | $135,400 |
| Illinois | $134,510 |
| Idaho | $133,970 |
| Pennsylvania | $133,250 |
See Nuclear 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 |
| Engineers, All Other | $107,990 | $51.92 |
| Materials Engineer | $102,440 | $49.25 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $102,750 | $49.40 |
| Environmental Engineer | $100,760 | $48.44 |
| 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 17-2161. 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 nuclear engineer make in Richmond, VA?
The median salary for nuclear engineers in the Richmond, VA metro area is $140,460 a year, or $67.53 an hour. Pay ranges from $101,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $175,040 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid nuclear engineers make in Richmond, VA?
The top 10% of nuclear engineers in the Richmond, VA metro area earn at least $175,040 a year. The top 25% earn $169,320 or more.
What is the starting pay for nuclear engineers in Richmond, VA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $101,870 a year, and a quarter of nuclear engineers earn $129,450 or less.
How many nuclear engineers work in Richmond, VA?
About 350 nuclear engineers are employed in the Richmond, VA metro area, not counting the self-employed.