Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Virginia: $106,202 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Virginia's 42 metropolitan areas, the average median nuclear medicine technologist pay sits at $106,202/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2033. Because Virginia sits at BEA RPP 103.2 (3% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $102,909 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Alexandria ($108,972), Newport News ($105,428), Hampton ($104,498).
Nuclear medicine technologists in Virginia can expect an average median salary of $106,202 in 2026, slightly lower than the national median of $106,398, marking a -0.2% difference. The highest paying city in the state is Alexandria, where technologists earn around $114,377, while Falls Church offers the lowest salary at $101,245, creating a gap of $13,132. Factors driving salary variations include the cost of living, demand for healthcare services, and available healthcare facilities in different regions. Virginia’s licensing requirements for nuclear medicine technologists are strict, ensuring practitioners meet professional standards. Additionally, the scope of practice laws and ongoing demand for nuclear medicine services contribute to job stability. With a projected annual growth rate of 4.96%, the job market is favorable, reflecting a healthy demand for skilled technologists. Other cities with promising salaries include Newport News at $110,657, Hampton at $109,681, Centreville at $109,170, and Blacksburg at $108,899. Overall, the outlook for nuclear medicine technologists in Virginia indicates a steady career path bolstered by regulatory frameworks and a growing healthcare sector.
Virginia Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Virginia: $74,002 (lowest entry-level) to $155,642 (highest top earner)
Virginia vs National Average
Virginia nuclear medicine technologists earn 0.18% less than the national median ($-196/year difference).
Virginia Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary Distribution (2026)
Nuclear Medicine Technologist salaries in Virginia range from $84,015 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $134,725 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $106,202. The Virginia median is $196 below the US national median of $106,398. The average hourly rate is $51.06/hr. Approximately 735 nuclear medicine technologists are employed across 42 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$73,338
2025 BLS Actual
$101,183
2026 Current Est.
$106,202
2019–2027 Growth
+52.0%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Virginia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $73,338 | Actual |
| 2020 | $75,015 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,188 | Actual |
| 2022 | $80,746 | Actual |
| 2023 | $92,265 | Actual |
| 2024 | $94,807 | Actual |
| 2025 | $101,183 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $106,202 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $111,470 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Virginia metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 38.0% from $73,338 (2019) to $101,183 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $111,470 by 2027 — a total increase of $38,132 (51.99%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Virginia 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Virginia
Lowest Paying Cities in Virginia
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Falls Church | $101,245 |
| Richmond | $102,126 |
| Herndon | $102,856 |
| Williamsburg | $103,979 |
| Winchester | $104,025 |
Best Value Cities for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Virginia
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Virginia cities offer the most purchasing power for nuclear medicine technologists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alexandria | $114,377 | 103.2 | $110,830 |
| Newport News | $110,657 | 103.2 | $107,226 |
| Virginia Beach | $104,582 | 97.941 | $106,781 |
| Hampton | $109,681 | 103.2 | $106,280 |
| Centreville | $109,170 | 103.2 | $105,785 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Virginia
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $84,015 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $106,202 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $134,725 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Virginia metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 42 Cities in Virginia
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alexandria | $114,377 |
| 2 | Newport News | $110,657 |
| 3 | Hampton | $109,681 |
| 4 | Centreville | $109,170 |
| 5 | Blacksburg | $108,899 |
| 6 | Roanoke | $108,865 |
| 7 | Lynchburg | $108,857 |
| 8 | Burke | $108,430 |
| 9 | Harrisonburg | $108,204 |
| 10 | Suffolk | $107,961 |
| 11 | Tuckahoe | $107,654 |
| 12 | Ashburn | $107,500 |
| 13 | McLean | $107,493 |
| 14 | Reston | $107,378 |
| 15 | Danville | $107,356 |
| 16 | Fredericksburg | $106,897 |
| 17 | Dale City | $106,874 |
| 18 | Manassas | $106,760 |
| 19 | Salem | $106,462 |
| 20 | Leesburg | $106,309 |
| 21 | Portsmouth | $106,248 |
| 22 | Norfolk | $106,143 |
| 23 | Mechanicsville | $106,079 |
| 24 | Springfield | $105,703 |
| 25 | Bristol | $105,589 |
| 26 | Woodbridge | $105,558 |
| 27 | Sterling | $105,355 |
| 28 | Staunton | $105,278 |
| 29 | Charlottesville | $105,243 |
| 30 | Lake Ridge | $105,218 |
| 31 | Linton Hall | $105,099 |
| 32 | Radford | $105,019 |
| 33 | Chesapeake | $104,988 |
| 34 | Fairfax | $104,829 |
| 35 | Virginia Beach | $104,582 |
| 36 | Waynesboro | $104,317 |
| 37 | Annandale | $104,178 |
| 38 | Winchester | $104,025 |
| 39 | Williamsburg | $103,979 |
| 40 | Herndon | $102,856 |
| 41 | Richmond | $102,126 |
| 42 | Falls Church | $101,245 |
More Virginia Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore nuclear medicine technologist hourly pay in Virginia cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new nuclear medicine technologists.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced nuclear medicine technologists.
Compare Cities in Virginia
View all comparisons →Explore More Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nuclear medicine technologists make in Virginia in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for nuclear medicine technologists in Virginia?
How does Virginia nuclear medicine technologist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level nuclear medicine technologist salary in Virginia?
How many nuclear medicine technologists are employed in Virginia?
Which Virginia city offers the best value for nuclear medicine technologists?
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
Statewide 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. A 4.96% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 nuclear medicine technologist compensation across Virginia. State averages are employment-weighted across 42 metro areas — larger metro areas with more nuclear medicine technologistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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