Nuclear Engineer Salary in Virginia Beach, VA
Nuclear Engineers in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area earn a median $110,510 a year — 18% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $81,034 take-home, or $6,753 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median nuclear engineer salary in Virginia Beach, VA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$15,482
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,852
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,602
- Virginia income tax$5,540
- Take-home pay$81,034
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 5.75% state
The Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro spans Virginia, North Carolina. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Nuclear Engineer pay by experience in Virginia Beach, VA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $77,520 | $37.27 | $59,722 | $4,977 |
| 25th percentile | $97,580 | $46.91 | $72,681 | $6,057 |
| Median (50th) | $110,510 | $53.13 | $81,034 | $6,753 |
| 75th percentile | $129,030 | $62.03 | $92,853 | $7,738 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $160,620 | $77.22 | $112,628 | $9,386 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Virginia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $110,510 buys in Virginia Beach, VA
Prices in Virginia Beach, VA are 2.1% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 0% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median nuclear engineer's $81,034 take-home pay has the buying power of $82,737 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Virginia Beach, VA has 16.8× the national concentration of nuclear engineer jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for nuclear engineers, adjusted for cost of living
Virginia Beach, VA ranks #3 of 3 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington, DC | $180,360 | $122,180 | $112,211 |
| 2 | Chicago, IL | $134,510 | $96,690 | $93,335 |
| 3 | Virginia Beach, VA | $110,510 | $81,034 | $82,737 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 3 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a nuclear engineer make in Virginia Beach, VA?
The median nuclear engineer salary in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area is $110,510 a year, or about $53.13 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $97,580 and $129,030.
What is a nuclear engineer’s take-home pay in Virginia Beach, VA?
On the median $110,510 salary, a single filer living in Virginia takes home about $81,034 a year ($6,753 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $5,540 in Virginia taxes in 2026.
Is Virginia Beach, VA a good place to work as a nuclear engineer?
Pay here is 18% below the national median of $133,970. Local prices are 2.1% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $82,737 would in a typical U.S. city. Virginia Beach, VA ranks #3 of 3 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a nuclear engineer afford rent in Virginia Beach, VA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Virginia Beach, VA is $1,508 a month ($1,708 for two bedrooms) — 22% of a median nuclear engineer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Virginia Beach, VA
- Aerospace Engineer — $139,010
- Engineers, All Other — $138,590
- Electrical Engineer — $103,210
- Electronics Engineers, Except Computer — $102,060
- Industrial Engineer — $101,500
- Mechanical Engineer — $100,280
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologist and Technician — $96,870
- Civil Engineer — $94,680
- Surveying and Mapping Technician — $57,760