Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Staunton, VA: $105,278 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Staunton, VA earns a median $105,278/year (≈ $50.61/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Staunton's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $102,014 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.1% below the Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Nuclear medicine technologists in Staunton, Virginia, can expect a notably competitive median annual salary of $105,278 in 2026. This figure reflects local nuances influenced by the mix of PET/CT credentials versus those solely with SPECT qualifications, which significantly affects compensation levels. The salary range varies widely from $86,328 at the 10th percentile to $135,601 at the 90th percentile, indicating diverse opportunities based on experience, skill set, and area of specialization. These estimates stem from 2025 BLS state-level data, adjusted for regional economic conditions, and suggest a robust environment for those entering or advancing in this profession within Staunton’s healthcare market.
About the Staunton Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $86,328 | $41.50 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $92,662 | $44.55 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $105,278 | $50.61 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $120,638 | $58.00 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $135,601 | $65.19 |
Median Salary Position
1.05% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Staunton
In Staunton, VA, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $49,273 (2026 est.). At $105,278, the local median is 1.05% below the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Staunton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Staunton Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Staunton median: $105,278/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Staunton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $109,779 | -4.10% less |
| National Average | $106,398 | -1.05% less |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Staunton, VA earn a median of $105,278 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.05% lower than the national median of $106,398 and 4.10% below the Virginia state average of $109,779.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Staunton has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Staunton, VA has a cost-of-living index of 103.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $105,278 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $102,014 — a 3.1% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$77,130
2025 BLS Actual
$100,303
2026 Current Est.
$105,278
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Staunton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $77,130 | Actual |
| 2020 | $78,752 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,931 | Actual |
| 2022 | $84,402 | Actual |
| 2023 | $91,526 | Actual |
| 2024 | $91,031 | Actual |
| 2025 | $100,303 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $105,278 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $110,500 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Staunton metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 30.0% from $77,130 (2019) to $100,303 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $110,500 by 2027 — a total increase of $33,370 (43.26%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Staunton 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) | $86,328 – $92,662 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $92,662 – $105,278 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $105,278 – $120,638 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $120,638 – $135,601 |
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 Staunton
The local job market currently employs five nuclear medicine technologists, reflecting a modest yet potentially stable demand for these healthcare professionals. With a cost-of-living index at 103.2, the economic landscape in Staunton illustrates that while salaries may offer competitive advantages, they must also be considered alongside living expenses. Employers such as hospital nuclear medicine departments and outpatient PET/CT imaging centers generally provide the highest compensation, especially for individuals skilled in both PET/CT imaging and theranostics therapies. The variance in pay can be largely attributed to training requirements and the demands placed on technologists, including on-call duties and the necessity for cross-training in CT. For those looking to maximize their nuclear medicine technologist pay in Staunton, pursuing PET/CT certifications, gaining experience in specialized areas like theranostics, and being adaptable to various working environments could enhance earnings potential significantly.
More salary data for Staunton, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nuclear medicine technologists make in Staunton, VA in 2026?
Is Staunton, VA a good place to work as a nuclear medicine technologist?
Can nuclear medicine technologists make $100K in Staunton?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted nuclear medicine technologist salary in Staunton?
How much does a nuclear medicine technologist make per hour in Staunton?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Virginia
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 $100,303 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Staunton 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 Staunton 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