Nuclear Med Tech Salary

Seattle vs Bellevue: Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare nuclear medicine technologist salaries between Seattle, WA and Bellevue, WA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Seattle, WA
$139,996
$67.31/hr
Bellevue, WA
$141,367
$67.96/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSeattle, WABellevue, WA
Median Salary$139,996$141,367
Hourly Rate$67.31$67.96
Entry Level (P10)$112,055$103,321
25th Percentile$119,098$116,528
75th Percentile$159,529$164,114
Top Earner (P90)$172,323$198,000
Total Employed20026
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Seattle ($139,996) and Bellevue ($141,367) nuclear medicine technologist salaries.SeattleBellevueMedian Salary$139,996$141,367Entry Level (P10)$112,055$103,321Top Earner (P90)$172,323$198,000US Median $106,398

Verdict

Bellevue, WA offers better overall compensation for nuclear medicine technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Seattle.

The salary gap between Seattle and Bellevue is $1,371 (0.98%). Bellevue's median is +32.87% compared to the US national median of $106,398.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Seattle spans $60,268,Bellevue spans $94,679. Bellevue has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced nuclear medicine technologists.

Seattle
P10 (Entry)$112,055
P25$119,098
Median$139,996
P75$159,529
P90 (Top)$172,323
Bellevue
P10 (Entry)$103,321
P25$116,528
Median$141,367
P75$164,114
P90 (Top)$198,000

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Bellevue ($131,627 effective) pays 4.49% more than Seattle ($125,972 effective).

Seattle
Nominal: $139,996
CoL Index: 111.133
Adjusted: $125,972
Bellevue
Nominal: $141,367
CoL Index: 107.4
Adjusted: $131,627

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Seattle if…

  • Larger job market (200 employed)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Choose Bellevue if…

  • Higher median salary ($141,367/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($198,000)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $131,627)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nuclear medicine technologist salaries in Seattle grew 31.2% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 0.8% growth in Bellevue over the same period.

Seattle, WA

+31.2%

$101,630 (2019) → $133,380 (2025)

Bellevue, WA

+0.8%

$133,635 (2024) → $134,687 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nuclear medicine technologists more: Seattle or Bellevue?

Bellevue has a higher median nuclear medicine technologist salary at $141,367/year, compared to Seattle at $139,996/year — a difference of $1,371 (0.98%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Seattle and Bellevue?

Seattle nuclear medicine technologists earn $67.31/hr while Bellevue hygienists earn $67.96/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Seattle to Bellevue as a nuclear medicine technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Seattle and Bellevue. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Seattle = $125,972, Bellevue = $131,627), job availability (200 vs 26 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nuclear medicine technologists earn in Seattle vs Bellevue?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nuclear medicine technologists earn $112,055 in Seattle and $103,321 in Bellevue. The Seattle 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