Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Rockville, MD: $113,375 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Rockville, MD earns a median $113,375/year (≈ $54.51/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Rockville's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 109.3), that paycheck buys what $103,728 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.5% below the Maryland state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $113,375 in 2026, nuclear medicine technologists in Rockville, Maryland, are poised to earn above the national average of $106,398. Salary ranges from $89,511 at the 10th percentile to $149,712 at the 90th, illustrating a significant pay disparity influenced by credentialing and experience levels. The division between technologists specializing in PET/CT versus those focused solely on SPECT seems to drive the pay scale, as PET/CT credentials often command higher salaries due to the growing demand for advanced imaging techniques. Local estimates based on 2025 BLS data indicate that Rockville offers a robust job market, aligning well with the rapid advancements in nuclear medicine technology.
About the Rockville Market
Salary estimated from Maryland average ($102,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $89,511 | $43.03 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $95,297 | $45.82 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $113,375 | $54.51 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $131,409 | $63.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $149,712 | $71.98 |
Median Salary Position
6.56% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rockville
In Rockville, MD, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $60,201 (2026 est.). At $113,375, the local median is 6.56% above the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Rockville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Rockville Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Rockville median: $113,375/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rockville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland Average | $116,282 | -2.50% less |
| National Average | $106,398 | +6.56% more |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Rockville, MD earn a median of $113,375 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.56% higher than the national median of $106,398 and 2.50% below the Maryland state average of $116,282.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rockville has a cost of living 9.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Rockville, MD has a cost-of-living index of 109.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $113,375 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $103,728 — a 8.51% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$83,061
2025 BLS Actual
$108,017
2026 Current Est.
$113,375
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Rockville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $83,061 | Actual |
| 2020 | $84,809 | Actual |
| 2021 | $83,924 | Actual |
| 2022 | $90,893 | Actual |
| 2023 | $98,565 | Actual |
| 2024 | $108,689 | Actual |
| 2025 | $108,017 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $113,375 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $118,998 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rockville metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 30.0% from $83,061 (2019) to $108,017 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $118,998 by 2027 — a total increase of $35,937 (43.27%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rockville metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 4.96% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $89,511 – $95,297 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $95,297 – $113,375 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $113,375 – $131,409 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $131,409 – $149,712 |
NMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nuclear medicine technologist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Job Market in Rockville
In Rockville, MD, the local job market supports approximately 15 nuclear medicine technologists, providing a stable foundation for employment opportunities. However, the cost of living, reflected in a cost-of-living index of 109.3, means that take-home purchasing power may be somewhat constrained compared to national averages. Employers such as hospital nuclear medicine departments and outpatient PET/CT centers tend to secure the most competitive wages, while those with experience in theranostics or cross-training in CT can further enhance their earning potential. Factors contributing to the disparity between lower and higher salaries include the demand for PET/CT credentials, the premium associated with theranostics experience, and on-call coverage requirements. For aspiring professionals looking to maximize their pay in Rockville's market, securing additional certifications and seeking positions in high-demand areas like theranostics can be effective strategies to enhance their earning potential.
More salary data for Rockville, MD:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $108,017 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Rockville metropolitan area. A 4.96% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Rockville is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.96%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for nuclear medicine technologists (SOC 29-2033).
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