Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Fairfax, VA: $104,829 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Fairfax, VA earns a median $104,829/year (≈ $50.40/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Fairfax's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $101,578 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.5% below the Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, nuclear medicine technologists in Fairfax, Virginia, can anticipate a median annual salary of $104,829, which is slightly below the national median of $106,398. The salary range spans from $84,178 at the 10th percentile to $130,200 at the 90th percentile, indicating a competitive market for employees. These figures, derived from projections based on 2025 BLS data and regional cost-of-living adjustments, demonstrate the demand for skilled technologists amidst the structural choices between hospital nuclear medicine departments and outpatient PET/CT imaging centers. As hospitals often provide comprehensive care and more varied responsibilities, the salary potential for technologists in Fairfax reflects the city's health care dynamics and the increasing prominence of outpatient services in diagnostic imaging.
About the Fairfax Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $84,178 | $40.47 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $90,768 | $43.64 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $104,829 | $50.40 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $117,538 | $56.51 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $130,200 | $62.60 |
Median Salary Position
1.47% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fairfax
In Fairfax, VA, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $46,022 (2026 est.). At $104,829, the local median is 1.47% below the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fairfax: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Fairfax Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Fairfax median: $104,829/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fairfax Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $109,768 | -4.50% less |
| National Average | $106,398 | -1.47% less |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Fairfax, VA earn a median of $104,829 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.47% lower than the national median of $106,398 and 4.50% below the Virginia state average of $109,768.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fairfax has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fairfax, VA has a cost-of-living index of 103.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $104,829 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $101,578 — a 3.1% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$76,800
2025 BLS Actual
$99,875
2026 Current Est.
$104,829
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Fairfax (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $76,800 | Actual |
| 2020 | $78,416 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,598 | Actual |
| 2022 | $84,042 | Actual |
| 2023 | $91,136 | Actual |
| 2024 | $90,643 | Actual |
| 2025 | $99,875 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $104,829 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $110,028 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fairfax metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 30.0% from $76,800 (2019) to $99,875 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $110,028 by 2027 — a total increase of $33,228 (43.27%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fairfax 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) | $84,178 – $90,768 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $90,768 – $104,829 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $104,829 – $117,538 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $117,538 – $130,200 |
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 Fairfax
With only four nuclear medicine technologists employed in the Fairfax area, the local job market remains relatively niche, yet there is an evident demand for skilled practitioners. The cost of living index stands at 103.2, which impacts take-home purchasing power, highlighting the importance of compensation packages that align with local expenses. Among employers, outpatient PET/CT imaging centers frequently offer higher salaries due to specialized skills and the advancements in therapies like theranostics, contrasting with broader roles typical in hospitals. Factors such as credential versatility—specifically, the integration of SPECT and CT training—and on-call responsibilities can drive significant pay disparities in this market. To maximize earning potential in Fairfax, technologists should consider enhancing their skills in high-demand areas, such as theranostics or adopting advanced imaging technologies, ensuring they remain competitive in an evolving field.
More salary data for Fairfax, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nuclear medicine technologists make in Fairfax, VA in 2026?
Is Fairfax, VA a good place to work as a nuclear medicine technologist?
Can nuclear medicine technologists make $100K in Fairfax?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted nuclear medicine technologist salary in Fairfax?
How much does a nuclear medicine technologist make per hour in Fairfax?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Virginia
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 $99,875 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Fairfax 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 Fairfax 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