Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Bethesda, MD: $112,325 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Bethesda, MD earns a median $112,325/year (≈ $54.00/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Bethesda's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 109.3), that paycheck buys what $102,768 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.4% below the Maryland state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the expected median nuclear medicine technologist salary in Bethesda, MD, is projected to reach $112,325, surpassing the national median of $106,398. Local professionals can anticipate a salary range from $86,583 at the 10th percentile to $150,662 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diverse roles available within the field. These figures are derived from analyses of state-level data and regional economic factors. The growth in demand for specialized skills, particularly in emerging areas like theranostics, is positively impacting salaries for technologists in Bethesda, as facilities increasingly require expertise in new radiopharmaceutical therapies.
About the Bethesda Market
Salary estimated from Maryland average ($102,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $86,583 | $41.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $95,645 | $45.98 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $112,325 | $54.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $131,249 | $63.10 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $150,662 | $72.43 |
Median Salary Position
5.57% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bethesda
In Bethesda, MD, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $64,079 (2026 est.). At $112,325, the local median is 5.57% above the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bethesda: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bethesda Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Bethesda median: $112,325/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bethesda Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland Average | $116,279 | -3.40% less |
| National Average | $106,398 | +5.57% more |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Bethesda, MD earn a median of $112,325 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.57% higher than the national median of $106,398 and 3.40% below the Maryland state average of $116,279.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bethesda has a cost of living 9.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bethesda, MD has a cost-of-living index of 109.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $112,325 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $102,768 — a 8.51% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$82,292
2025 BLS Actual
$107,017
2026 Current Est.
$112,325
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Bethesda (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $82,292 | Actual |
| 2020 | $84,024 | Actual |
| 2021 | $83,147 | Actual |
| 2022 | $90,052 | Actual |
| 2023 | $97,653 | Actual |
| 2024 | $107,682 | Actual |
| 2025 | $107,017 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $112,325 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $117,896 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bethesda metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 30.0% from $82,292 (2019) to $107,017 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $117,896 by 2027 — a total increase of $35,604 (43.27%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bethesda 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) | $86,583 – $95,645 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $95,645 – $112,325 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $112,325 – $131,249 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $131,249 – $150,662 |
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 Bethesda
In Bethesda, there are currently 18 nuclear medicine technologists employed, indicating a focused but growing job market. Given the cost of living index of 109.3, professionals should consider how local expenses impact their take-home pay; those in this region must navigate a slightly above-average cost of living while pursuing employment. Opportunities for higher pay can be found in hospital nuclear medicine departments and outpatient PET/CT imaging centers, where salary ceilings are generally higher. Factors contributing to the disparity in pay include the complexity of modalities, with theranostics experiences commanding a premium. For increased earnings potential, technologists should seek cross-training in CT imaging and consider on-call positions in environments that require flexible radiopharmaceutical timing. Prioritizing certifications from organizations like SNMMI-TS, NMTCB, or JRCNMT can also enhance competitive standing within Bethesda's evolving market.
More salary data for Bethesda, MD:
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 $107,017 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Bethesda 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 Bethesda 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