Nuclear Med Tech Salary

Richmond vs Waynesboro: Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare nuclear medicine technologist salaries between Richmond, VA and Waynesboro, VA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Richmond, VA
$102,126
$49.10/hr
Waynesboro, VA
$104,317
$50.15/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricRichmond, VAWaynesboro, VA
Median Salary$102,126$104,317
Hourly Rate$49.10$50.15
Entry Level (P10)$87,012$83,227
25th Percentile$98,767$89,684
75th Percentile$106,870$114,226
Top Earner (P90)$111,887$134,568
Total Employed804
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Richmond ($102,126) and Waynesboro ($104,317) nuclear medicine technologist salaries.RichmondWaynesboroMedian Salary$102,126$104,317Entry Level (P10)$87,012$83,227Top Earner (P90)$111,887$134,568US Median $106,398

Verdict

Waynesboro, VA offers better overall compensation for nuclear medicine technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Richmond.

The salary gap between Richmond and Waynesboro is $2,191 (2.15%). Waynesboro's median is -1.96% compared to the US national median of $106,398.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Richmond spans $24,875,Waynesboro spans $51,341. Waynesboro has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced nuclear medicine technologists.

Richmond
P10 (Entry)$87,012
P25$98,767
Median$102,126
P75$106,870
P90 (Top)$111,887
Waynesboro
P10 (Entry)$83,227
P25$89,684
Median$104,317
P75$114,226
P90 (Top)$134,568

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Richmond ($104,361 effective) pays 3.24% more than Waynesboro ($101,082 effective).

Richmond
Nominal: $102,126
CoL Index: 97.858
Adjusted: $104,361
Waynesboro
Nominal: $104,317
CoL Index: 103.2
Adjusted: $101,082

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Richmond if…

  • Larger job market (80 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $104,361)
  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Choose Waynesboro if…

  • Higher median salary ($104,317/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($134,568)
  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nuclear medicine technologist salaries in Richmond grew 32.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 10.2% growth in Waynesboro over the same period.

Richmond, VA

+32.5%

$73,420 (2019) → $97,300 (2025)

Waynesboro, VA

+10.2%

$90,201 (2024) → $99,387 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nuclear medicine technologists more: Richmond or Waynesboro?

Waynesboro has a higher median nuclear medicine technologist salary at $104,317/year, compared to Richmond at $102,126/year — a difference of $2,191 (2.15%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Richmond and Waynesboro?

Richmond nuclear medicine technologists earn $49.10/hr while Waynesboro hygienists earn $50.15/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Richmond to Waynesboro as a nuclear medicine technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Richmond and Waynesboro. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Richmond = $104,361, Waynesboro = $101,082), job availability (80 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nuclear medicine technologists earn in Richmond vs Waynesboro?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nuclear medicine technologists earn $87,012 in Richmond and $83,227 in Waynesboro. The Richmond area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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Written by Alexandra Chen, MS, CNMT

Career Analyst

Alexandra has 10 years of experience in nuclear medicine. She specializes in PET imaging at a community hospital. She analyzes trends in the nuclear medicine job market.

Clinically reviewed by David Martinez, BS, CNMTData verified by Fatima Nasir, MS, CNMT

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 4.96% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Alexandra Chen, MS, CNMT, a licensed nuclear medicine technologist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov