Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Seattle, WA: $139,996 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Seattle, WA earns a median $139,996/year (≈ $67.31/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Seattle's price level (11% above national, BEA RPP 111.1), that paycheck buys what $125,972 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 22.5% above the Washington state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Seattle, Washington, the projected 2026 median annual salary for nuclear medicine technologists is $139,996, significantly higher than the national median of $106,398. This disparity reflects the comparative strength and demand for professionals in this field, particularly those with PET/CT credentials. While the salary range for nuclear medicine technologists in Seattle spans from $112,055 at the 10th percentile to $172,323 at the 90th percentile, it showcases the lucrative opportunities available for specialists who possess diverse skill sets, particularly with advanced imaging technologies. As the job market increasingly favors those with PET/CT qualifications over SPECT-only credentials, competitive salaries draw experienced technologists to the area.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $112,055 | $53.88 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $119,098 | $57.26 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $139,996 | $67.31 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $159,529 | $76.69 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $172,323 | $82.84 |
Median Salary Position
31.58% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Seattle
In Seattle, WA, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $60,268 (2026 est.). At $139,996, the local median is 31.58% above the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Seattle: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Seattle Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Seattle median: $139,996/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Seattle Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $114,282 | +22.50% more |
| National Average | $106,398 | +31.58% more |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Seattle, WA earn a median of $139,996 per year (2026 est.), which is 31.58% higher than the national median of $106,398 and 22.50% above the Washington state average of $114,282.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Seattle has a cost of living 11.13% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Seattle, WA has a cost-of-living index of 111.133 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $139,996 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $125,972 — a 10.02% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$101,630
2025 BLS Actual
$133,380
2026 Current Est.
$139,996
2019–2027 Growth
+44.6%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Seattle (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $101,630 | Actual |
| 2020 | $110,690 | Actual |
| 2021 | $103,220 | Actual |
| 2022 | $116,590 | Actual |
| 2023 | $133,920 | Actual |
| 2024 | $128,540 | Actual |
| 2025 | $133,380 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $139,996 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $146,939 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Seattle metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 31.2% from $101,630 (2019) to $133,380 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $146,939 by 2027 — a total increase of $45,309 (44.58%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Seattle 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) | $112,055 – $119,098 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $119,098 – $139,996 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $139,996 – $159,529 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $159,529 – $172,323 |
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 Seattle
The Seattle job market features approximately 200 nuclear medicine technologists, contributing to a robust local economy. However, the cost of living index here stands at 111.133, which means take-home purchasing power may be less than it appears on paper. Major employers that typically offer higher salaries include outpatient PET/CT imaging centers and theranostics centers, particularly those providing advanced therapies like Pluvicto and Lutathera. Factors influencing pay fluctuations range from the credential mix—where PET/CT experience commands a premium—to the structural differences between outpatient PET centers and hospital roles. To maximize earnings in Seattle, nuclear medicine technologists should pursue cross-training in CT as well as seek opportunities in high-demand settings like cardiac nuclear medicine and theranostics, which can enhance both their employability and compensation potential.
More salary data for Seattle, 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 $133,380 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Seattle 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