Nuclear Engineer Salary in Virginia
State-level salary data from BLS OES and H-1B filings
Data year: 2025 · Last updated: October 2026
Median Annual Salary (VA)
$128,890
$61.97/hr
vs National Average
$140,937
-8.5% vs national median
Salary Range (10th–90th)
$81K – $192K
Salary Distribution — Nuclear Engineer in Virginia
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $81,480 |
| 25th percentile | $98,920 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $128,890 |
| 75th percentile | $164,010 |
| 90th percentile | $192,350 |
Top-Paying Industries for Nuclear Engineer (U.S.)
Which industries pay Nuclear Engineers the most — nationwide figures (industry-level data is not available by state). Nuclear Engineers in Virginia tend to follow these industry patterns.
| Industry (U.S.) | Median Salary | Employed (U.S.) |
|---|---|---|
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | $143,600 | 6K |
| Administrative and Support Services | $137,920 | 950 |
| Utilities | $134,250 | 4K |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $131,690 | 340 |
| Government (excl. schools, hospitals & USPS) | $119,520 | 3K |
Source: U.S. BLS OEWS National Industry-Specific estimates, May 2025. National figures (not state-specific).
Historical Salary Trend — Nuclear Engineer in Virginia vs National
| Year | Median Salary (Virginia) |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $104,670 |
| 2023 | $108,990 |
| 2024 | $108,740 |
| 2025 | $128,890 |
| 2026 (projected) | $136,623 |
The latest year is a projection based on recent wage trends — BLS has not yet released that year’s data.
| Year | Virginia Median | National Median |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $104,670 | $125,973 |
| 2023 | $108,990 | $126,302 |
| 2024 | $108,740 | $134,043 |
| 2025 | $128,890 | $140,937 |
| 2026 (projected) | $136,623 | $149,393 |
Nuclear Engineer Salary by Experience Level in Virginia
| Experience Level | Years | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Junior | 0-2 yrs | $98,920 |
| Mid-level | 3-5 yrs | $128,890 |
| Senior | 6-9 yrs | $164,010 |
| Staff / Lead | 10+ yrs | $192,350 |
Nuclear Engineer Salary in Other States
Related Nuclear Engineer Salaries in Virginia
How other high-demand occupations in Virginia compare to Nuclear Engineer ($128,890 median).
| Occupation | Median Salary | vs Nuclear Engineer | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engineering Manager in VA | $176,160 | +36.7% | $84.69/hr |
| Aerospace Engineer in VA | $143,210 | +11.1% | $68.85/hr |
| Chemical Engineer in VA | $136,380 | +5.8% | $65.57/hr |
| Electrical Engineer in VA | $119,030 | -7.6% | $57.23/hr |
| Materials Engineer in VA | $116,720 | -9.4% | $56.12/hr |
| Biomedical Engineer in VA | $106,140 | -17.7% | $51.03/hr |
| Environmental Engineer in VA | $104,940 | -18.6% | $50.45/hr |
| Mechanical Engineer in VA | $104,180 | -19.2% | $50.09/hr |
| Industrial Engineer in VA | $102,550 | -20.4% | $49.30/hr |
| Civil Engineer in VA | $97,120 | -24.6% | $46.69/hr |
| Medical and Health Services Manager in VA | $129,270 | +0.3% | $62.15/hr |
| Web Developer in VA | $128,380 | -0.4% | $61.72/hr |