Nuclear Engineer salary in Virginia
Nuclear Engineers in Virginia earn a median of $128,890 a year ($61.97 an hour), based on BLS data for this job.
Pay ranges from $81,480 for the lowest-paid 10% to $192,350 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $133,970. Virginia ranks 16th of 19 states for nuclear engineers pay. The average (mean) salary is $132,710, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for nuclear engineers in Virginia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $81,480 | $39.17 |
| 25th percentile | $98,920 | $47.56 |
| Median | $128,890 | $61.97 |
| 75th percentile | $164,010 | $78.85 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $192,350 | $92.48 |
| Average (mean) | $132,710 | $63.81 |
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 | $10,740.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,370.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,957.31 |
| Weekly | $2,478.65 |
| Hourly | $61.97 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Nuclear Engineer salary in cities in Virginia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $180,360 | 840 |
| Richmond, VA | $140,460 | 350 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Virginia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $97,120 | $46.69 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $104,180 | $50.09 |
| Electrical Engineer | $119,030 | $57.23 |
| Industrial Engineer | $102,550 | $49.30 |
| Engineers, All Other | $148,160 | $71.23 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $119,990 | $57.69 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $143,210 | $68.85 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $139,030 | $66.84 |
| Environmental Engineer | $104,940 | $50.45 |
| Chemical Engineer | $136,380 | $65.57 |
| Materials Engineer | $116,720 | $56.12 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $104,920 | $50.44 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $106,140 | $51.03 |
| Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers | $104,960 | $50.46 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Virginia
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 Virginia?
The median salary for nuclear engineers in Virginia is $128,890 a year, or $61.97 an hour. Pay ranges from $81,480 for the lowest-paid 10% to $192,350 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid nuclear engineers make in Virginia?
The top 10% of nuclear engineers in Virginia earn at least $192,350 a year. The top 25% earn $164,010 or more.
What is the starting pay for nuclear engineers in Virginia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $81,480 a year, and a quarter of nuclear engineers earn $98,920 or less.