Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Ashburn, VA: $107,500 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Ashburn, VA earns a median $107,500/year (≈ $51.68/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Ashburn's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $104,167 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.1% below the Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Ashburn, Virginia, the projected median annual salary for nuclear medicine technologists is set at $107,500 for 2026, slightly above the national figure of $106,398. This salary reflects a robust local market where professionals earn between $85,148 and $143,123, depending on experience and specific roles. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost, highlight the region's strong demand for nuclear medicine technologists, particularly as the theranostics specialty continues to gain traction. Ashburn's job market is notably enriched by its proximity to advanced healthcare facilities that increasingly utilize PET/CT technology, enabling higher earnings for those specialized in this area.
About the Ashburn Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $85,148 | $40.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $93,249 | $44.83 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $107,500 | $51.68 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $124,972 | $60.08 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $143,123 | $68.81 |
Median Salary Position
1.04% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ashburn
In Ashburn, VA, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $57,975 (2026 est.). At $107,500, the local median is 1.04% above the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Ashburn: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Ashburn Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Ashburn median: $107,500/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ashburn Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $109,806 | -2.10% less |
| National Average | $106,398 | +1.04% more |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Ashburn, VA earn a median of $107,500 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.04% higher than the national median of $106,398 and 2.10% below the Virginia state average of $109,806.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Ashburn has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Ashburn, VA has a cost-of-living index of 103.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $107,500 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $104,167 — a 3.1% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$78,757
2025 BLS Actual
$102,420
2026 Current Est.
$107,500
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Ashburn (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $78,757 | Actual |
| 2020 | $80,414 | Actual |
| 2021 | $79,576 | Actual |
| 2022 | $86,184 | Actual |
| 2023 | $93,458 | Actual |
| 2024 | $92,953 | Actual |
| 2025 | $102,420 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $107,500 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $112,832 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ashburn metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 30.0% from $78,757 (2019) to $102,420 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $112,832 by 2027 — a total increase of $34,075 (43.27%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ashburn 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) | $85,148 – $93,249 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $93,249 – $107,500 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $107,500 – $124,972 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $124,972 – $143,123 |
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 Ashburn
The local employment scene currently includes 12 nuclear medicine technologists, indicating a niche but vital workforce contributing to healthcare in Ashburn. With a cost-of-living index of 103.2, professionals must be mindful of how expenses can impact their overall compensation. Employers such as hospital nuclear medicine departments, outpatient PET/CT imaging centers, and cardiology practices offer competitive pay, particularly for those with theranostics experience in cutting-edge therapies like Lutathera. Factors determining salary variance include the breadth of certifications—technologists certified in both PET/CT and SPECT often command higher salaries—and the level of on-call coverage required. To maximize earnings, networking within the local healthcare community and pursuing additional certifications, especially in emerging techniques, can bolster one’s marketability and pay scale in this dynamic field.
More salary data for Ashburn, 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
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 $102,420 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Ashburn 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 Ashburn 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