Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Norfolk, VA: $106,143 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Norfolk, VA earns a median $106,143/year (≈ $51.03/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Norfolk's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $102,852 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.3% below the Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $106,143 for 2026, nuclear medicine technologists in Norfolk, Virginia, enjoy a competitive pay scale that closely aligns with the national median of $106,398. Salary figures range significantly, with the anticipated earnings spanning from $76,187 at the 10th percentile to $147,098 at the 90th percentile. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local economic conditions, indicate a robust compensation framework for professionals in this field. The growth potential in Norfolk mirrors the national trend, driven by an increasing emphasis on theranostics and the utilization of advanced imaging technologies, which underpins the demand for skilled nuclear medicine technologists in diverse healthcare settings.
About the Norfolk Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $76,187 | $36.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $86,869 | $41.76 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $106,143 | $51.03 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $125,689 | $60.43 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $147,098 | $70.72 |
Median Salary Position
0.24% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Norfolk
In Norfolk, VA, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $70,911 (2026 est.). At $106,143, the local median is 0.24% below the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Norfolk: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Norfolk Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Norfolk median: $106,143/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Norfolk Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $109,765 | -3.30% less |
| National Average | $106,398 | -0.24% less |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Norfolk, VA earn a median of $106,143 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.24% lower than the national median of $106,398 and 3.30% below the Virginia state average of $109,765.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Norfolk has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Norfolk, VA has a cost-of-living index of 103.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $106,143 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $102,852 — a 3.1% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$77,763
2025 BLS Actual
$101,127
2026 Current Est.
$106,143
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Norfolk (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $77,763 | Actual |
| 2020 | $79,399 | Actual |
| 2021 | $78,571 | Actual |
| 2022 | $85,096 | Actual |
| 2023 | $92,278 | Actual |
| 2024 | $99,251 | Actual |
| 2025 | $101,127 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $106,143 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $111,408 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Norfolk metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 30.0% from $77,763 (2019) to $101,127 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $111,408 by 2027 — a total increase of $33,645 (43.27%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Norfolk 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) | $76,187 – $86,869 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $86,869 – $106,143 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $106,143 – $125,689 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $125,689 – $147,098 |
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 Norfolk
Analysts note that the job market for nuclear medicine technologists in Norfolk comprises about 54 professionals, reflecting a solid employment base in the region. The cost of living index in Norfolk stands at 103.2, which slightly exceeds the national average, impacting take-home pay for medical personnel. Employers in the area that typically offer the highest wages include hospital nuclear medicine departments, outpatient PET/CT imaging centers, and cardiology practices specializing in nuclear cardiology. The variation in earnings can often be attributed to credentials and experience, particularly within PET/CT and theranostics settings, where advanced qualifications and cross-training in CT can yield higher pay. Technologists can enhance their earning potential by pursuing further specialization in theranostics, gaining experience in on-call roles that manage radiopharmaceutical schedules, and aligning themselves with facilities that prioritize comprehensive imaging services.
More salary data for Norfolk, 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 $101,127 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Norfolk 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 Norfolk 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