SOC 17-2161 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Nuclear Engineers — Virginia Beach
Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC · 1 metro areas compared
The median wage for Nuclear Engineers in Virginia Beach, VA is $110,510 per year, 17.5% below the national median of $133,970.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Nuclear Engineers in Virginia Beach, VA is $110,510 per year, 17.5% below the national median of $133,970. Pay ranges from under $77,520 at the tenth percentile to more than $160,620 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $97,580 to $129,030.
The area has 1,260 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 1.6 of every thousand jobs. Richmond leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $140,460. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 56th of 593 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $77,520 | −42.1% |
| 25th | $97,580 | −27.2% |
| Median (50th) | $110,510 | −17.5% |
| 75th | $129,030 | −3.7% |
| 90th | $160,620 | +19.9% |
| Mean | $115,140 | −14.1% |
Other metro areas in Virginia
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Richmond | $140,460 | 350 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Virginia Beach sit close to the national average, so $110,510 is worth roughly its face value against pay elsewhere.
Published median
$110,510as reported by BLSLocal price level
101.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$109,308US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $110,510 a year, 17.5% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $77,520 to $160,620 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,260 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Richmond, at $140,460.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Nuclear Engineers in Virginia Beach, VA?
The median annual wage is $110,510, or $53.13 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $133,970, so pay in Virginia Beach, VA is 17.5% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Virginia Beach, VA earns more than $160,620 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $77,520 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Richmond, at $140,460 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 1,260 jobs in this occupation in Virginia Beach, VA. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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