Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Auburn, WA: $112,952 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Auburn, WA earns a median $112,952/year (≈ $54.31/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Auburn's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $105,169 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, the projected median annual salary for nuclear medicine technologists in Auburn, Washington, is $112,952, which reflects a competitive edge compared to the national median of $106,398. The salary range in the region extends from $82,498 at the 10th percentile to $152,171 at the 90th percentile, indicating a robust earning potential that is influenced by factors such as subspecialization in theranostics. This specialty premium can significantly enhance pay, particularly as the demand for expertise in radiopharmaceutical therapies expands. Estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local economic conditions, depict a promising job market for nuclear medicine professionals in Auburn, highlighting both the growth opportunities and the financial viability of this career path.
About the Auburn Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($122,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $82,498 | $39.66 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $96,796 | $46.54 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $112,952 | $54.31 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $132,643 | $63.77 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $152,171 | $73.16 |
Median Salary Position
6.16% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Auburn
In Auburn, WA, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $69,673 (2026 est.). At $112,952, the local median is 6.16% above the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Auburn: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Auburn Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Auburn median: $112,952/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Auburn Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $114,324 | -1.20% less |
| National Average | $106,398 | +6.16% more |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Auburn, WA earn a median of $112,952 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.16% higher than the national median of $106,398 and 1.20% below the Washington state average of $114,324.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Auburn has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Auburn, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $112,952 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $105,169 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$82,751
2025 BLS Actual
$107,614
2026 Current Est.
$112,952
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Auburn (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $82,751 | Actual |
| 2020 | $84,492 | Actual |
| 2021 | $83,611 | Actual |
| 2022 | $90,554 | Actual |
| 2023 | $98,198 | Actual |
| 2024 | $129,515 | Actual |
| 2025 | $107,614 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $112,952 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $118,554 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Auburn metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 30.0% from $82,751 (2019) to $107,614 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $118,554 by 2027 — a total increase of $35,803 (43.27%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Auburn 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) | $82,498 – $96,796 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $96,796 – $112,952 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $112,952 – $132,643 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $132,643 – $152,171 |
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 Auburn
The local job market for nuclear medicine technologists in Auburn reflects a solid employment scene with 23 professionals currently working in the area. Despite a cost of living index of 107.4, which is slightly above the national average, the salaries in this region still offer a commendable purchasing power. Employers such as hospital nuclear medicine departments and outpatient PET/CT imaging centers tend to provide the highest compensation. The disparity in salaries can be attributed to several factors, including differences in modality experience, with PET/CT specialists often earning more than those focused solely on SPECT. Additionally, technologists who cross-train with CT, or those willing to take on on-call duties related to radiopharmaceutical administration, may command higher wages. For those aiming to maximize their nuclear medicine technologist pay in Auburn, seeking opportunities in theranostics or enhancing certifications in PET/CT could provide valuable advantages.
More salary data for Auburn, WA:
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 $107,614 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Auburn 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 Auburn 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