Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Bristol, VA: $105,589 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Bristol, VA earns a median $105,589/year (≈ $50.76/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Bristol's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $102,315 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.8% below the Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Projected for 2026, nuclear medicine technologists in Bristol, Virginia, can expect a median annual salary of $105,589, which reflects the demand for specialized skills in theranostics. The salary range spans from $86,571 at the 10th percentile to $132,350 at the 90th percentile, indicating a significant variance in pay based on experience and credentialing. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local economic conditions, highlight a competitive job market for this profession. With a focus on advanced procedures such as radiopharmaceutical therapies, technologists with expertise in PET/CT are particularly well-positioned in Bristol's healthcare environment, which can contribute to superior earning potential.
About the Bristol Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $86,571 | $41.62 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $92,388 | $44.42 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $105,589 | $50.76 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $119,452 | $57.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $132,350 | $63.63 |
Median Salary Position
0.76% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bristol
In Bristol, VA, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $45,779 (2026 est.). At $105,589, the local median is 0.76% below the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bristol: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bristol Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Bristol median: $105,589/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bristol Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $109,760 | -3.80% less |
| National Average | $106,398 | -0.76% less |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Bristol, VA earn a median of $105,589 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.76% lower than the national median of $106,398 and 3.80% below the Virginia state average of $109,760.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bristol has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bristol, VA has a cost-of-living index of 103.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $105,589 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $102,315 — a 3.1% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$77,357
2025 BLS Actual
$100,599
2026 Current Est.
$105,589
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Bristol (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $77,357 | Actual |
| 2020 | $78,985 | Actual |
| 2021 | $78,161 | Actual |
| 2022 | $84,651 | Actual |
| 2023 | $91,796 | Actual |
| 2024 | $91,300 | Actual |
| 2025 | $100,599 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $105,589 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $110,826 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bristol metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 30.0% from $77,357 (2019) to $100,599 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $110,826 by 2027 — a total increase of $33,469 (43.27%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bristol 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) | $86,571 – $92,388 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $92,388 – $105,589 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $105,589 – $119,452 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $119,452 – $132,350 |
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 Bristol
The local job market for nuclear medicine technologists is relatively stable, with six professionals currently employed in Bristol. Considering the cost of living index at 103.2, incomes may slightly lag behind national expectations but still provide a reasonable quality of life. Employers such as hospital nuclear medicine departments and outpatient PET/CT imaging centers tend to offer the highest salaries, reflecting the critical nature of their services. Variabilities in compensation arise from the mix of skills required; for instance, those with experience in theranostics or cross-trained in CT modalities typically command higher wages. Therefore, professionals seeking to maximize their pay in Bristol should consider focusing on obtaining or enhancing skills related to PET/CT and theranostics. Networking within local healthcare institutions and pursuing additional certifications with organizations like the NMTCB can also provide avenues for upward mobility in this growing field.
More salary data for Bristol, VA:
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 $100,599 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Bristol 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 Bristol 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