Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay in Fairfax, VA: $50.40 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nuclear medicine technologist working in Fairfax, VA runs $50.40 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $104,829 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Weighted against Fairfax's regional price level (BEA RPP 103.2, 3% above national), each hour of work buys what $48.84 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $62,901 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Fairfax, Virginia, nuclear medicine technologists earn a median hourly rate of $50.40, which is slightly below the national median of $51.15. This hourly wage presents solid earning potential for part-time workers, such as those employed three days a week, who can find appealing opportunities in hospital nuclear medicine suites, PET/CT imaging centers, and theranostics infusion suites. For per-diem workers, this hourly framework highlights the potential for flexibility and increased earnings, with entry-level technologists starting around $40.47 per hour, while experienced professionals can make up to $62.60 per hour. The variance in pay underscores the diverse work environments available to technologists in the field, from mobile PET trailers to specialized cardiac stress test rooms.
About the Fairfax Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40.47 | $323.78 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43.64 | $349.14 |
| Median (P50) | $50.40 | $403.21 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $56.51 | $452.08 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $62.60 | $500.79 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Fairfax
Based on $50.40/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $50.40/hr, a nuclear medicine technologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Fairfax, VA can expect to earn approximately $104,836 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $60,482. With a cost-of-living index of 103.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Fairfax.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Fairfax
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,016.07 | $8,736 | $104,836 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,209.64 | $5,242 | $62,901 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $806.43 | $3,495 | $41,934 |
Compare NMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nuclear Medicine Technologist (Fairfax) | $50.40 |
| Radiologic Technologist (National Avg) | $35.27 |
| MRI Technologist (National Avg) | $40.93 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (National Avg) | $42.41 |
| Radiation Therapist (National Avg) | $48.35 |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Fairfax, VA earn a median of $104,829 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.47% lower than the national median of $106,398 and 4.50% below the Virginia state average of $109,768.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $50.40/hr = $62,901/year (purchasing power: $60,951).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $104,836/year (purchasing power: $101,585).
CoL index: 103.2 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$36.93/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$48.02/hr
2026 Current Est.
$50.40/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Fairfax (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36.93/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $37.70/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.31/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $40.41/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $43.82/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $43.58/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $48.02/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50.40/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52.90/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nuclear medicine technologists in Fairfax grew 30.0% from $36.93/hr (2019) to $48.02/hr (2025). At a 4.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $52.90/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem nuclear medicine technologists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fairfax 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.
Working as an Hourly Nuclear Medicine Technologist in Fairfax
Part-time nuclear medicine technologists working 24 hours a week can take home approximately $62,613 annually, providing a decent income compared to full-time positions. Many in this field also opt for per-diem roles, where rates can range from $55 to $80 per hour for typical nuclear medicine tasks. Technologists focusing on PET/CT imaging at outpatient oncology centers often see rates from $65 to $95, while those with theranostics expertise at advanced care facilities command even higher premiums. Different employer types in Fairfax lead to varying pay structures, with hospitals and academic centers typically offering benefits like health insurance, which may entice some professionals despite lower hourly rates. In contrast, those seeking higher pay without benefits can negotiate better terms with agencies or mobile imaging companies. It's crucial for techs in Fairfax to articulate their value during negotiations, emphasizing their certifications with organizations like SNMMI-TS or NMTCB, especially with the ongoing growth in PET/CT and radiopharmaceutical therapies shaping the industry.
More salary data for Fairfax, 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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 4.96% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for nuclear medicine technologists in Fairfax. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Fairfax 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