Virginia Median
$128,890
per year
Hourly Rate
$61.97
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-4% vs US median
US median $133,970
State Rank
#16 of 19
state estimate
How much does a Nuclear Engineer make in Virginia?
Nuclear Engineers in Virginia take home a median of $128,890 annually — roughly $61.97 an hour — which runs 4% below the national median of $133,970.
Within Virginia, entry-level pay starts around $81,480 while the top 10% make $192,350 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $98,920 and $164,010 a year.
Nuclear Engineer salary range in Virginia
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $81,480 | $39.17 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $98,920 | $47.56 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $128,890 | $61.97 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $164,010 | $78.85 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $192,350 | $92.48 |
|
How Virginia compares
Virginia ranks 16th out of 19 states and territories for Nuclear Engineer pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Nuclear Engineer salary in other states
District of Columbia $195,190California $172,400New Mexico $164,300Maryland $157,960Massachusetts $145,760New York $141,200Florida $135,400Illinois $134,510Idaho $133,970Pennsylvania $133,250Alabama $132,570Georgia $132,440North Carolina $131,850Michigan $129,940Washington $129,480Texas $128,340South Carolina $126,570Maine $123,780
Working as a Nuclear Engineer in Virginia
Nationally, about 15,000 people work as Nuclear Engineers in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare Virginia pay ($128,890) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Nuclear Engineer make in Virginia?
The median Nuclear Engineer salary in Virginia is $128,890 per year, or about $61.97 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $81,480 at the entry level to $192,350 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Virginia pay compare to the national average?
Virginia pays Nuclear Engineers about 4% less than the national median of $133,970. Virginia ranks 16th out of 19 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Virginia a good state for Nuclear Engineers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $128,890 a year. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Virginia?
The highest-paying occupations in Virginia include Anesthesiologist ($488,310), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($478,710), Cardiologist ($461,450), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Nuclear Engineer salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.