Nuclear Engineers Salary in Lynchburg, VA
In Lynchburg, VA, nuclear engineers earn $129,690 at the median — $62.35 an hour. The range runs from $80K at the entry level to $167K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 89.36), which stretches that salary to about $145,132 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,187/month, or 15.1% of estimated take-home pay.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $130K get you in Lynchburg?
About nuclear engineers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Lynchburg, VA
Entry-level nuclear engineers (10th percentile) start around $80K. Mid-career wages sit at $130K.Top earners bring in $167K or more - a $87K spread from bottom to top.
Nuclear Engineers pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $190K | +49% | 240 |
| California | $168K | +31% | 870 |
| New York | $159K | +25% | 160 |
| Maryland | $150K | +18% | 140 |
| Minnesota | $150K | +18% | 190 |
| Nebraska | $149K | +17% | N/A |
| Alabama | $144K | +13% | 270 |
| Massachusetts | $142K | +11% | 120 |
| New Mexico | $140K | +10% | 1,160 |
| Michigan | $138K | +8% | 180 |
| Pennsylvania | $135K | +6% | 480 |
| Idaho | $130K | +2% | 720 |
| Illinois | $130K | +2% | 950 |
| Georgia | $130K | +2% | 140 |
| Florida | $129K | +1% | 140 |
Track nuclear engineers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Lynchburg numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do nuclear engineers make in Lynchburg, VA?
The median is $129,690 a year - that works out to about $62.35 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $80,340, and experienced nuclear engineers can clear $167,270. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $130K enough to live in Lynchburg?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,705/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,187/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 15.4% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a nuclear engineers salary go in Lynchburg?
Lynchburg has a Regional Price Parity of 89.36 (100 is the national average). That's below average - your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median nuclear engineers salary is worth about $145,132 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do nuclear engineers get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.