Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Olympia, WA: $113,183 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Olympia, WA earns a median $113,183/year (≈ $54.41/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Olympia's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $105,385 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.0% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, the projected median annual salary for a nuclear medicine technologist in Olympia, Washington, reaches $113,183, which notably outpaces the national median of $106,398 by about 6.38%. This vibrant market shows a salary range from $83,035 at the 10th percentile to $145,809 at the 90th percentile, showcasing the diversity in compensation well-informed professionals can access. Local estimates from BLS state-level data, backed by regional price adjustments, reflect the importance of specialization in this field. For those pursuing theranostics or PET/CT imaging, the prospects are particularly lucrative. As the demand for advanced nuclear therapies grows, Olympia provides an appealing opportunity for skilled technologists, which enhances its local job market dynamics.
About the Olympia Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($122,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $83,035 | $39.92 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $99,754 | $47.96 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $113,183 | $54.41 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $128,908 | $61.98 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $145,809 | $70.10 |
Median Salary Position
6.38% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Olympia
In Olympia, WA, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $62,774 (2026 est.). At $113,183, the local median is 6.38% above the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Olympia: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Olympia Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Olympia median: $113,183/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Olympia Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $114,326 | -1.00% less |
| National Average | $106,398 | +6.38% more |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Olympia, WA earn a median of $113,183 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.38% higher than the national median of $106,398 and 1.00% below the Washington state average of $114,326.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Olympia has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Olympia, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $113,183 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $105,385 — a 6.89% 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
$82,921
2025 BLS Actual
$107,834
2026 Current Est.
$113,183
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Olympia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $82,921 | Actual |
| 2020 | $84,665 | Actual |
| 2021 | $83,782 | Actual |
| 2022 | $90,739 | Actual |
| 2023 | $98,398 | Actual |
| 2024 | $129,780 | Actual |
| 2025 | $107,834 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $113,183 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $118,796 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Olympia metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 30.0% from $82,921 (2019) to $107,834 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $118,796 by 2027 — a total increase of $35,875 (43.26%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Olympia 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) | $83,035 – $99,754 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $99,754 – $113,183 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $113,183 – $128,908 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $128,908 – $145,809 |
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 Olympia
The nuclear medicine technologist job market in Olympia employs approximately 13 individuals, a number that, while modest, indicates a stable demand for professionals in this field. With a cost-of-living index registering at 107.4, technologists need to consider how their salaries translate into purchasing power in the area. Employers such as hospital nuclear medicine departments and outpatient PET/CT imaging centers typically offer the highest pay, especially for candidates with experience in theranostics and cross-training in CT. The pay spread is influenced significantly by various factors, including credential combinations and specific job responsibilities, where flexibility for on-call duties and a blend of SPECT and PET/CT skills can command a premium. Maximizing earning potential in Olympia requires strategic positioning, such as pursuing certifications within SNMMI-TS or NMTCB, and continuously adapting to the shifts towards theranostics therapies that are rapidly fulfilling market needs.
More salary data for Olympia, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nuclear medicine technologists make in Olympia, WA in 2026?
Is Olympia, WA a good place to work as a nuclear medicine technologist?
Can nuclear medicine technologists make $100K in Olympia?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted nuclear medicine technologist salary in Olympia?
How much does a nuclear medicine technologist make per hour in Olympia?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Washington
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 $107,834 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Olympia 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 Olympia 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