Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Tumwater, WA: $111,858 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Tumwater, WA earns a median $111,858/year (≈ $53.78/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Tumwater's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $104,151 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.1% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Nuclear medicine technologists in Tumwater, Washington, are positioned for a lucrative career, with a median annual salary projected at $111,858 in 2026. This pay is notably higher than the national median of $106,398, representing a 5.13% premium. The salary range runs from $85,849 at the 10th percentile to $148,850 at the 90th percentile, reflecting significant variances based on the type of credentials held. Technologists with PET/CT certifications often secure higher wages compared to those solely with SPECT training, highlighting the increasing demand and pay potential associated with advanced imaging technologies in this local market. Given these figures, Tumwater presents an appealing opportunity for both current professionals and those considering a career in nuclear medicine.
About the Tumwater Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($122,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $85,849 | $41.27 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $98,790 | $47.49 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $111,858 | $53.78 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $124,138 | $59.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $148,850 | $71.56 |
Median Salary Position
5.13% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Tumwater
In Tumwater, WA, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $63,001 (2026 est.). At $111,858, the local median is 5.13% above the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Tumwater: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Tumwater Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Tumwater median: $111,858/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Tumwater Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $114,257 | -2.10% less |
| National Average | $106,398 | +5.13% more |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Tumwater, WA earn a median of $111,858 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.13% higher than the national median of $106,398 and 2.10% below the Washington state average of $114,257.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Tumwater has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Tumwater, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $111,858 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $104,151 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$81,950
2025 BLS Actual
$106,572
2026 Current Est.
$111,858
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Tumwater (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $81,950 | Actual |
| 2020 | $83,674 | Actual |
| 2021 | $82,802 | Actual |
| 2022 | $89,677 | Actual |
| 2023 | $97,247 | Actual |
| 2024 | $128,261 | Actual |
| 2025 | $106,572 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $111,858 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $117,406 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tumwater metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 30.0% from $81,950 (2019) to $106,572 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $117,406 by 2027 — a total increase of $35,456 (43.27%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tumwater 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) | $85,849 – $98,790 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $98,790 – $111,858 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $111,858 – $124,138 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $124,138 – $148,850 |
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 Tumwater
The job market in Tumwater currently supports only six nuclear medicine technologists, adding a sense of exclusivity to the role and limiting competition for positions. With a cost-of-living index of 107.4, local salaries provide a slightly above-average purchasing power, but candidates should carefully evaluate their compensation in the context of living expenses. To secure the highest pay, technologists should aim for employment in outpatient PET/CT imaging centers or advanced theranostics facilities, which often provide a premium for experienced practitioners. Factors contributing to pay discrepancies include credential composition (PET/CT vs. SPECT), on-call coverage requirements, and the essential need for cross-training in CT. Therefore, pursuing certifications and experience in high-demand areas like theranostics and honing skills in mobile imaging will be effective strategies for maximizing earnings in this evolving field, especially in Tumwater, WA.
More salary data for Tumwater, 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 $106,572 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Tumwater 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 Tumwater 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