Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Chesapeake, VA: $104,988 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Chesapeake, VA earns a median $104,988/year (≈ $50.48/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Chesapeake's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $101,733 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.4% below the Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for nuclear medicine technologists in Chesapeake, Virginia, is $104,988, which is slightly below the national median of $106,398. The local salary range varies from $74,002 at the 10th percentile to $149,784 at the 90th percentile, indicating diverse opportunities based on experience and specialization. These estimates are based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost factors, highlighting the competitive market for nuclear medicine professionals in the area. Considering Chesapeake's focus on both hospital-based services and outpatient PET/CT oncology centers, the demand for skilled technologists remains robust, shaping the compensation landscape.
About the Chesapeake Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $74,002 | $35.58 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $90,715 | $43.61 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $104,988 | $50.48 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $127,162 | $61.14 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $149,784 | $72.01 |
Median Salary Position
1.33% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chesapeake
In Chesapeake, VA, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $75,782 (2026 est.). At $104,988, the local median is 1.33% below the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Chesapeake: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Chesapeake Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Chesapeake median: $104,988/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Chesapeake Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $109,820 | -4.40% less |
| National Average | $106,398 | -1.33% less |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Chesapeake, VA earn a median of $104,988 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.33% lower than the national median of $106,398 and 4.40% below the Virginia state average of $109,820.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Chesapeake has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Chesapeake, VA has a cost-of-living index of 103.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $104,988 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $101,733 — a 3.1% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$76,917
2025 BLS Actual
$100,027
2026 Current Est.
$104,988
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Chesapeake (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $76,917 | Actual |
| 2020 | $78,536 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,717 | Actual |
| 2022 | $84,170 | Actual |
| 2023 | $91,275 | Actual |
| 2024 | $98,172 | Actual |
| 2025 | $100,027 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $104,988 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $110,196 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Chesapeake metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 30.0% from $76,917 (2019) to $100,027 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $110,196 by 2027 — a total increase of $33,279 (43.27%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chesapeake 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) | $74,002 – $90,715 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $90,715 – $104,988 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $104,988 – $127,162 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $127,162 – $149,784 |
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 Chesapeake
Currently, there are 63 nuclear medicine technologists employed in Chesapeake, contributing to a solid job market. With a cost-of-living index of 103.2, the overall purchasing power may be somewhat affected by local prices. Among local employers, hospitals typically offer higher compensation compared to outpatient centers, particularly those specializing in advanced procedures like PET/CT imaging or theranostics, which includes treatments such as lutetium-177 therapies. Variations in pay can often be traced to credential types—those with a mix of PET/CT and SPECT expertise tend to earn more. Additionally, on-call requirements and CT cross-training can also impact salaries. Technologists looking to maximize their earning potential in Chesapeake should consider advancing their qualifications and gaining experience in high-demand areas such as theranostics and hybrid imaging technologies.
More salary data for Chesapeake, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nuclear medicine technologists make in Chesapeake, VA in 2026?
Is Chesapeake, VA a good place to work as a nuclear medicine technologist?
Can nuclear medicine technologists make $100K in Chesapeake?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted nuclear medicine technologist salary in Chesapeake?
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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 $100,027 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Chesapeake 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 Chesapeake 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