Nuclear Engineer salary in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
Nuclear Engineers in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area earn a median of $110,510 a year ($53.13 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,260 workers.
Pay ranges from $77,520 for the lowest-paid 10% to $160,620 for the top 10%. That is 18% lower than the national median of $133,970. Pay here is 14% lower than the Virginia statewide median of $128,890. There are 1.6 nuclear engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 16.8× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $115,140, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for nuclear engineers in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $77,520 | $37.27 |
| 25th percentile | $97,580 | $46.92 |
| Median | $110,510 | $53.13 |
| 75th percentile | $129,030 | $62.03 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $160,620 | $77.22 |
| Average (mean) | $115,140 | $55.36 |
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 | $9,209.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,604.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,250.38 |
| Weekly | $2,125.19 |
| Hourly | $53.13 |
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 |
| Richmond, VA | $140,460 | 350 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $131,850 | 240 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $130,300 | 70 |
| Wilmington, NC | $129,710 | 80 |
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 Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineer | $100,280 | $48.21 |
| Civil Engineer | $94,680 | $45.52 |
| Electrical Engineer | $103,210 | $49.62 |
| Engineers, All Other | $138,590 | $66.63 |
| Industrial Engineer | $101,500 | $48.80 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $102,060 | $49.07 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $139,010 | $66.83 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $131,710 | $63.32 |
| Environmental Engineer | $102,110 | $49.09 |
| Materials Engineer | $116,720 | $56.12 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $97,870 | $47.06 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $102,720 | $49.39 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $96,870 | $46.57 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $57,760 | $27.77 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
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 Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
The median salary for nuclear engineers in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area is $110,510 a year, or $53.13 an hour. Pay ranges from $77,520 for the lowest-paid 10% to $160,620 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid nuclear engineers make in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
The top 10% of nuclear engineers in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area earn at least $160,620 a year. The top 25% earn $129,030 or more.
What is the starting pay for nuclear engineers in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $77,520 a year, and a quarter of nuclear engineers earn $97,580 or less.
How many nuclear engineers work in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
About 1,260 nuclear engineers are employed in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.