Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Richmond, VA: $102,126 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Richmond, VA earns a median $102,126/year (≈ $49.10/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Richmond's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 97.9), that paycheck buys what $104,361 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.0% below the Virginia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Nuclear medicine technologists in Richmond, Virginia command a median annual salary of $102,126 as of 2026, which reflects a competitive market for this specialty, especially given the rising prominence of theranostics. The local salary range extends from $87,012 at the 10th percentile to $111,887 at the 90th percentile, indicating that experience and specialization can significantly impact earnings. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, showcasing the financial benefits that come with advancing one's skills in the rapidly expanding fields of PET/CT imaging and radiopharmaceutical therapies. Such opportunities not only bolster pay but also the integral role technologists play in patient care within Richmond's healthcare landscape.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $87,012 | $41.84 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $98,767 | $47.48 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $102,126 | $49.10 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $106,870 | $51.38 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $111,887 | $53.79 |
Median Salary Position
4.02% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Richmond
In Richmond, VA, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $24,875 (2026 est.). At $102,126, the local median is 4.02% below the national median of $106,398.
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At 40 hours/week in Richmond: You'd be above the median
How Richmond Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Richmond median: $102,126/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Richmond Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $109,813 | -7.00% less |
| National Average | $106,398 | -4.02% less |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Richmond, VA earn a median of $102,126 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.02% lower than the national median of $106,398 and 7.00% below the Virginia state average of $109,813.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Richmond has a cost of living 2.14% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Richmond, VA has a cost-of-living index of 97.858 (below the national average of 100). A nuclear medicine technologist earning $102,126 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $104,361 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.19% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$73,420
2025 BLS Actual
$97,300
2026 Current Est.
$102,126
2019–2027 Growth
+46.0%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Richmond (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $73,420 | Actual |
| 2020 | $75,030 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,450 | Actual |
| 2022 | $82,640 | Actual |
| 2023 | $99,590 | Actual |
| 2024 | $95,840 | Actual |
| 2025 | $97,300 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $102,126 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $107,192 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Richmond metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 32.5% from $73,420 (2019) to $97,300 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $107,192 by 2027 — a total increase of $33,772 (46.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Richmond 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) | $87,012 – $98,767 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $98,767 – $102,126 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $102,126 – $106,870 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $106,870 – $111,887 |
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 Richmond
With approximately 80 nuclear medicine technologists currently employed in Richmond, the local market strength positions itself as a promising career path for both newcomers and seasoned professionals. Notably, the cost of living index in the area sits at a favorable 97.858, which enhances the purchasing power of the take-home salary. Employers in Richmond, particularly hospitals, outpatient PET/CT imaging centers, and theranostics facilities that incorporate therapies like lutetium-177, typically offer the most competitive compensation. The variability in salary can often be attributed to the nature of the expertise sought, such as PET/CT versus SPECT-only capabilities, and additional factors like on-call coverage requirements or the need for cross-training in CT imaging. For those determined to maximize their pay in the Richmond market, pursuing advanced credentials and seeking opportunities in high-demand specialties will be crucial strategies to succeed.
More salary data for Richmond, 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 $97,300 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Richmond 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
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