Dialysis Technician Salary in Bristol, VA: $42,510 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dialysis technician in Bristol, VA earns a median $42,510/year (≈ $20.44/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2099). Once you factor in Bristol's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $41,192 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.1% above the Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Bristol, Virginia, the role of dialysis technicians reflects a competitive salary landscape influenced by various subspecialties. The median annual salary for 2026 stands at $42,510, with a range from $34,353 at the lower end to $65,892 at the top percentile. These figures, derived from projected estimates based on 2025 BLS state-level data and adjusted for local cost of living, illustrate a significant earning potential for technicians in this region compared to the national median of $45,322. With the growing emphasis on home dialysis training, technicians who specialize in this area may see even higher compensation, highlighting a shift in the job market that could affect future salary growth and opportunities.
About the Bristol Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($44,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34,353 | $16.52 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38,197 | $18.36 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $42,510 | $20.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $53,203 | $25.58 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $65,892 | $31.68 |
Median Salary Position
6.2% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bristol
In Bristol, VA, the dialysis technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $31,539 (2026 est.). At $42,510, the local median is 6.2% below the national median of $45,322.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bristol: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bristol Dialysis Technician Pay Compares
Bristol median: $42,510/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bristol Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $40,836 | +4.10% more |
| National Average | $45,322 | -6.20% less |
Dialysis Technicians in Bristol, VA earn a median of $42,510 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.20% lower than the national median of $45,322 and 4.10% above the Virginia state average of $40,836.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bristol has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bristol, VA has a cost-of-living index of 103.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $42,510 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $41,192 — a 3.1% reduction.
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2021 BLS Actual
$37,738
2025 BLS Actual
$41,510
2026 Current Est.
$42,510
2021–2027 Growth
+15.4%
Salary Trajectory for Dialysis Technicians in Bristol (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.41% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $37,738 | Actual |
| 2022 | $37,135 | Actual |
| 2023 | $39,182 | Actual |
| 2024 | $43,665 | Actual |
| 2025 | $41,510 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42,510 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43,535 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bristol metropolitan area, the median dialysis technician salary grew 10.0% from $37,738 (2021) to $41,510 (2025). At a 2.41% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $43,535 by 2027 — a total increase of $5,797 (15.36%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bristol 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 2.41% CAGR derived from 5-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) | $34,353 – $38,197 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $38,197 – $42,510 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $42,510 – $53,203 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $53,203 – $65,892 |
DT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dialysis technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dialysis Technician Job Market in Bristol
The local job market for dialysis technicians in Bristol remains steady, with six professionals currently employed in this specialty. The cost of living index in this area is slightly above average at 103.2, which can influence take-home pay and overall purchasing power. Employers such as outpatient dialysis chains—Fresenius, DaVita, and US Renal Care—dominate the market, typically offering competitive wages that reflect the varying demands of the role, including shift differentials and additional responsibilities such as home dialysis training. The discrepancy between lower and higher salaries may result from factors such as shift timings, lead roles, and skills like biomedical equipment cross-training. For those in Bristol looking to enhance their dialysis technician pay, seeking roles that include these specialized tasks, coupled with certifications from bodies like NNCC or BONENT, could provide a pathway to not only higher compensation but also greater job satisfaction and career advancement.
More salary data for Bristol, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do dialysis technicians make in Bristol, VA in 2026?
Is Bristol, VA a good place to work as a dialysis technician?
Can dialysis technicians make $100K in Bristol?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted dialysis technician salary in Bristol?
How much does a dialysis technician make per hour in Bristol?
Related Pages
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Written by Jessica Tran, CCRN
Career Analyst
Jessica has over 10 years as a dialysis technician. She specializes in chronic kidney disease management. She works at a community hospital.
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 $41,510 for dialysis techniciansin the Bristol metropolitan area. A 2.41% 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 Bristol 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 2.41%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for dialysis technicians (SOC 29-2099).
Compiled and verified by Jessica Tran, CCRN, a licensed dialysis technician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov