Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Radford, VA: $105,019 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Radford, VA earns a median $105,019/year (≈ $50.49/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Radford's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $101,763 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.4% below the Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Radford, Virginia, nuclear medicine technologists can expect to earn a 2026 median salary of $105,019, which is slightly below the national median of $106,398. This figure represents a salary range from $84,660 at the lower tenth percentile (P10) to $127,198 at the upper ninetieth percentile (P90). Local compensation estimates, based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, reflect prevailing regional economic conditions and cost-of-living adjustments. As Radford hosts a mix of healthcare facilities, including both hospitals and outpatient centers, the structural choice of employment significantly influences pay scales for nuclear medicine technologists, creating a dynamic earning environment based on job settings and responsibilities.
About the Radford Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $84,660 | $40.70 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $95,301 | $45.82 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $105,019 | $50.49 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $115,748 | $55.65 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $127,198 | $61.15 |
Median Salary Position
1.3% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Radford
In Radford, VA, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $42,538 (2026 est.). At $105,019, the local median is 1.3% below the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Radford: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Radford Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Radford median: $105,019/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Radford Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $109,852 | -4.40% less |
| National Average | $106,398 | -1.30% less |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Radford, VA earn a median of $105,019 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.30% lower than the national median of $106,398 and 4.40% below the Virginia state average of $109,852.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Radford has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Radford, VA has a cost-of-living index of 103.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $105,019 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $101,763 — a 3.1% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$76,940
2025 BLS Actual
$100,056
2026 Current Est.
$105,019
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Radford (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $76,940 | Actual |
| 2020 | $78,558 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,739 | Actual |
| 2022 | $84,194 | Actual |
| 2023 | $91,301 | Actual |
| 2024 | $90,807 | Actual |
| 2025 | $100,056 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $105,019 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $110,228 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Radford metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 30.0% from $76,940 (2019) to $100,056 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $110,228 by 2027 — a total increase of $33,288 (43.26%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Radford 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) | $84,660 – $95,301 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $95,301 – $105,019 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $105,019 – $115,748 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $115,748 – $127,198 |
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 Radford
With only six nuclear medicine technologists currently employed in the Radford area, the local job market is relatively small, but it does offer unique opportunities. The cost-of-living index of 103.2 indicates that residents face a slightly higher-than-average living expense, which directly impacts purchasing power. Technologists employed in hospital settings generally command higher salaries compared to those in outpatient PET/CT imaging centers or other specialized practices. Salary variation stems from multiple factors, including the technologist's experience with advanced modalities like therapy with radiopharmaceuticals (e.g., Pluvicto or Lutathera), the extent of CT cross-training, and the credential mix between PET/CT and SPECT. To maximize pay, technologists should focus on acquiring certifications that enhance their skill set, seek positions in hospitals or theranostics centers, and be open to on-call opportunities, as these factors typically lead to increased compensation.
More salary data for Radford, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can nuclear medicine technologists make $100K in Radford?
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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 $100,056 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Radford 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 Radford 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