Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Reston, VA: $107,378 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Reston, VA earns a median $107,378/year (≈ $51.62/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Reston's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $104,048 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.2% below the Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Reston, Virginia offers a competitive landscape for nuclear medicine technologists, with the 2026 median annual salary projected at $107,378. This figure reflects the growing demand for professionals in the sector, particularly those holding PET/CT credentials, which tend to command higher pay compared to those trained in SPECT-only procedures. The local salary range varies significantly, from $85,299 at the lower end (P10) to $142,446 at the high end (P90), highlighting the varied expertise and roles available within the field. These projections are based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost factors, positioning Reston slightly above the national median of $106,398. This vibrant job market indicates that career opportunities for nuclear medicine technologists are promising in Reston, VA.
About the Reston Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $85,299 | $41.01 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $92,999 | $44.71 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $107,378 | $51.62 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $124,850 | $60.03 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $142,446 | $68.49 |
Median Salary Position
0.92% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Reston
In Reston, VA, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $57,147 (2026 est.). At $107,378, the local median is 0.92% above the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Reston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Reston Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Reston median: $107,378/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Reston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $109,794 | -2.20% less |
| National Average | $106,398 | +0.92% more |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Reston, VA earn a median of $107,378 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.92% higher than the national median of $106,398 and 2.20% below the Virginia state average of $109,794.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Reston has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Reston, VA has a cost-of-living index of 103.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $107,378 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $104,048 — a 3.1% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$78,668
2025 BLS Actual
$102,304
2026 Current Est.
$107,378
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Reston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $78,668 | Actual |
| 2020 | $80,323 | Actual |
| 2021 | $79,486 | Actual |
| 2022 | $86,086 | Actual |
| 2023 | $93,352 | Actual |
| 2024 | $92,848 | Actual |
| 2025 | $102,304 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $107,378 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $112,704 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Reston metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 30.0% from $78,668 (2019) to $102,304 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $112,704 by 2027 — a total increase of $34,036 (43.27%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Reston 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) | $85,299 – $92,999 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $92,999 – $107,378 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $107,378 – $124,850 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $124,850 – $142,446 |
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 Reston
In Reston, the job market is supported by a small but solid group of 16 employed nuclear medicine technologists, reflecting a specialized niche in the healthcare community. The cost-of-living index of 103.2 signifies that while salaries are appealing, they should be weighed against local living expenses. Employers that typically offer the most competitive pay include hospital nuclear medicine departments, outpatient PET/CT imaging centers, and theranostics centers that provide lutetium-177 therapies. The disparity between lower and higher salaries often hinges on the combination of PET/CT skills, experience at theranostics facilities, and availability for on-call duties, which can impact coverage and timing of radiopharmaceutical applications. To maximize earning potential in this unique market, technologists should seek opportunities for cross-training in CT techniques and consider specializing in the rapidly growing areas of PET/CT and radiopharmaceutical therapies, which are increasingly preferred by employers in the region.
More salary data for Reston, 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 $102,304 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Reston 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 Reston 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