Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Tacoma, WA: $137,660 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Tacoma, WA earns a median $137,660/year (≈ $66.19/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Tacoma's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $128,175 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 20.5% above the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Nuclear medicine technologists in Tacoma, Washington, enjoy a favorable salary landscape, with a projected median annual salary of $137,660 for 2026. This figure is significantly above the national median of $106,398, reflecting a premium for the growing specialty of theranostics, which includes advanced radiopharmaceutical therapies like Pluvicto and Lutathera. The local salary range extends from $103,073 at the 10th percentile to $195,634 at the 90th percentile, indicating a healthy market for both entry-level and experienced professionals. These estimates are based on 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional market conditions, illustrating the competitive nature of the nuclear medicine field in this region of Washington.
About the Tacoma Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($122,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $103,073 | $49.55 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $115,630 | $55.59 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $137,660 | $66.19 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $166,179 | $79.90 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $195,634 | $94.05 |
Median Salary Position
29.38% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Tacoma
In Tacoma, WA, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $92,561 (2026 est.). At $137,660, the local median is 29.38% above the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Tacoma: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Tacoma Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Tacoma median: $137,660/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Tacoma Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $114,241 | +20.50% more |
| National Average | $106,398 | +29.38% more |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Tacoma, WA earn a median of $137,660 per year (2026 est.), which is 29.38% higher than the national median of $106,398 and 20.50% above the Washington state average of $114,241.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Tacoma has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Tacoma, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $137,660 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $128,175 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$100,854
2025 BLS Actual
$131,155
2026 Current Est.
$137,660
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Tacoma (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $100,854 | Actual |
| 2020 | $102,976 | Actual |
| 2021 | $101,902 | Actual |
| 2022 | $110,363 | Actual |
| 2023 | $119,679 | Actual |
| 2024 | $132,708 | Actual |
| 2025 | $131,155 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $137,660 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $144,488 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tacoma metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 30.0% from $100,854 (2019) to $131,155 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $144,488 by 2027 — a total increase of $43,634 (43.26%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tacoma 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) | $103,073 – $115,630 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $115,630 – $137,660 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $137,660 – $166,179 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $166,179 – $195,634 |
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 Tacoma
With 56 nuclear medicine technologists currently employed in Tacoma, the local job market remains robust despite a living cost index of 107.4, which is moderate but indicative of higher-than-average expenses. Employers in various sectors, including hospital nuclear medicine departments and outpatient PET/CT imaging centers, provide varying pay levels. Those working in advanced theranostics centers or with experience in both PET/CT and SPECT modalities tend to earn more due to the specialized knowledge required. The pay gap arises from the scope of practice, with cross-training opportunities and the nuances of on-call coverage affecting compensation. In this competitive market, technologists should seek to diversify their skill sets and pursue certifications to maximize their earning potential, particularly as there is an increasing demand for technologists adept in both traditional and emerging nuclear medicine therapies.
More salary data for Tacoma, 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 $131,155 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Tacoma 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 Tacoma 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