Entry-Level Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary (2026): What New Grad NMTs Actually Make

The average entry-level NMT salary is $90,073 per year ($43.30/hour) in 2026, based on the 10th percentile of BLS wage data. New grad NMT starting pay ranges from $39,769 in lower-paying markets to $161,932 in San Jose, CA — driven by NCI cancer center demand, PET/CT specialty, rapidly growing theranostics radioligand therapy, and academic medical center hiring.

$90,073

Avg Starting Salary

$43.30

Starting Hourly

$106,398

Median Target

1665+

Cities Tracked

2019 BLS

$56,560

2025 BLS

$78,080

2026 Current Est.

$81,953

2019–2027 Growth

+52.1%

National Entry-Level Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary Trend (10th Percentile)

2019–2025: BLS OEWS actual data. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected

Year	Entry-Level Salary (P10)	Status
2019	$56,560	Actual
2020	$57,830	Actual
2021	$60,550	Actual
2022	$64,680	Actual
2023	$69,300	Actual
2024	$75,570	Actual
2025	$78,080	Actual
2026(current)	$81,953	Estimated
2027	$86,018	Projected

Entry-level nuclear medicine technologist salaries (10th percentile) have shown consistent growth over 7 years of BLS data. The 10th percentile represents typical starting pay for new graduates and early-career professionals. At the current 4.96% CAGR, starting salaries are projected to continue rising through 2027.

Note: BLS actual data is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey. Estimated and projected values are calculated using a 4.96% historical CAGR. Actual compensation may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.

Starting Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary by State

Entry-level nuclear medicine technologist pay varies dramatically by state. The top-paying states offer starting salaries well above $90,073, while others fall below the national average. Here are all 52 states ranked by average starting salary for nuclear medicine technologists.

#	State	Avg Starting Pay	Median Target	Growth Potential	Cities
1	California	$133,351	$177,272	+$43,921	156
2	New York	$104,426	$127,007	+$22,581	38
3	Hawaii	$98,822	$132,387	+$33,565	9
4	Washington	$94,810	$122,733	+$27,923	49
5	District of Columbia	$94,705	$115,351	+$20,646	1
6	Connecticut	$94,389	$119,331	+$24,942	29
7	Rhode Island	$93,665	$106,900	+$13,235	17
8	New Jersey	$90,926	$118,043	+$27,117	61
9	Massachusetts	$90,337	$119,436	+$29,099	57
10	Oregon	$89,846	$114,494	+$24,648	36
11	Alaska	$89,200	$121,826	+$32,626	5
12	Colorado	$88,870	$114,443	+$25,573	32
13	Maryland	$87,351	$110,527	+$23,176	27
14	Minnesota	$87,230	$106,197	+$18,967	44
15	Nevada	$86,563	$107,887	+$21,324	9
16	Illinois	$84,484	$106,948	+$22,464	64
17	Virginia	$84,015	$106,202	+$22,187	42
18	New Hampshire	$83,986	$106,442	+$22,456	16
19	Pennsylvania	$83,497	$103,345	+$19,848	24
20	Texas	$82,378	$105,837	+$23,459	109
21	Ohio	$82,294	$103,002	+$20,708	67
22	Florida	$82,219	$102,585	+$20,366	82
23	Arizona	$82,003	$105,208	+$23,205	33
24	Georgia	$80,711	$102,277	+$21,566	39
25	Delaware	$80,373	$101,746	+$21,373	6
26	Wisconsin	$79,132	$101,386	+$22,254	46
27	South Carolina	$79,021	$96,987	+$17,966	26
28	Idaho	$78,502	$102,813	+$24,311	16
29	Maine	$77,459	$97,110	+$19,651	10
30	New Mexico	$77,339	$99,923	+$22,584	17
31	Michigan	$77,283	$99,895	+$22,612	52
32	Tennessee	$76,478	$93,944	+$17,466	30
33	Indiana	$76,313	$98,692	+$22,379	43
34	Vermont	$76,076	$94,010	+$17,934	9
35	Kentucky	$75,542	$101,464	+$25,922	21
36	North Dakota	$75,305	$98,127	+$22,822	8
37	Louisiana	$74,704	$96,073	+$21,369	20
38	Utah	$74,115	$95,815	+$21,700	41
39	Montana	$74,042	$95,613	+$21,571	7
40	North Carolina	$73,865	$96,996	+$23,131	44
41	Alabama	$73,839	$90,717	+$16,878	24
42	Arkansas	$73,441	$91,997	+$18,556	21
43	Oklahoma	$73,146	$94,518	+$21,372	27
44	Nebraska	$71,873	$102,908	+$31,035	13
45	Wyoming	$71,410	$89,011	+$17,601	14
46	Missouri	$71,105	$96,436	+$25,331	33
47	West Virginia	$70,786	$92,060	+$21,274	11
48	Iowa	$70,715	$90,789	+$20,074	26
49	Mississippi	$69,736	$89,632	+$19,896	20
50	Kansas	$69,577	$87,953	+$18,376	22
51	South Dakota	$68,661	$87,128	+$18,467	11
52	Puerto Rico	$39,769	$55,083	+$15,314	1

Beginner Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay: Top 20 Cities

These 20 metro areas offer the highest starting salaries for new nuclear medicine technologists. Each figure represents the 10th percentile of local BLS wage data — the typical pay range for professionals with little to no experience.

#	City	Starting Salary	Median Target	vs National
1	San Jose, CA	$161,932	$208,818	+79.78%
2	Sunnyvale, CA	$161,645	$213,721	+79.46%
3	Santa Clara, CA	$158,346	$212,317	+75.80%
4	Oakland, CA	$149,468	$203,738	+65.94%
5	Fresno, CA	$146,661	$171,484	+62.82%
6	Roseville, CA	$143,157	$181,104	+58.93%
7	San Francisco, CA	$143,155	$199,204	+58.93%
8	San Buenaventura, CA	$141,340	$178,042	+56.92%
9	Santa Cruz, CA	$141,224	$176,302	+56.79%
10	Thousand Oaks, CA	$140,374	$177,329	+55.85%
11	Napa, CA	$140,279	$173,790	+55.74%
12	Alhambra, CA	$140,078	$173,706	+55.52%
13	Glendale, CA	$139,728	$177,357	+55.13%
14	La Mirada, CA	$139,381	$175,162	+54.74%
15	Fremont, CA	$139,322	$199,243	+54.68%
16	South Gate, CA	$139,233	$173,650	+54.58%
17	Huntington Beach, CA	$139,192	$176,902	+54.53%
18	West Sacramento, CA	$138,999	$173,552	+54.32%
19	San Leandro, CA	$138,864	$173,273	+54.17%
20	Jurupa Valley, CA	$138,824	$176,745	+54.12%

Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary With No Experience: New Grad NMT Reality

The 10th percentile of BLS wage data is the standard proxy for entry-level NMT pay — it represents what the lowest-paid 10% of nuclear medicine technologists in a given metro area earn, predominantly new grads and early-career NMTs in their first 12 months. Nationally, that sits at $90,073 ($43.30/hour) for 2026. New NMT offers vary by setting (NCI cancer center vs community hospital vs cardiology practice) and PET/CT vs general nuclear medicine specialty.

What New Grad NMTs Actually Earn (Year 1)

California new grad NMT (top tier) — Bay Area / LA / San Diego markets $35–$48/hour starting. High COL plus strong specialty demand at NCI centers (UCSF, UCLA, Stanford, City of Hope).
NCI-designated cancer center new grad — MD Anderson (TX), Memorial Sloan Kettering (NY), Dana-Farber (MA), Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, City of Hope (CA), Fred Hutch (WA), Moffitt (FL), Roswell Park (NY), UCSF, UCLA, Stanford, UCSD, Northwestern, Penn Medicine, Johns Hopkins, Sidney Kimmel Jefferson. PET/CT and theranostics premium even for new grads.
Alaska, Hawaii, Washington, Massachusetts ($32–$42/hour) — high COL anchors.
NY, NJ, CT ($30–$40/hour) — strong academic medical center markets.
Mid-Atlantic / Midwest / South $25–$35/hour — Texas, Florida, Tennessee, Georgia, NC, Arizona, Pennsylvania, Ohio.
Cardiology practice new grad (SPECT MPI) — high-volume myocardial perfusion imaging. Steady demand.
Outpatient PET/CT imaging center — Akumin, RadNet, SimonMed PET/CT. Daytime hours, no overnight.
Federal NMT (VA, military) — federal pension and PSLF.

JRCNMT Program and Certification Path

JRCNMT-accredited nuclear medicine program — required entry credential. 12–24 month program or 2-year associate / 4-year bachelor's.
NMTCB CNMT exam — Certified Nuclear Medicine Technologist through Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board. Most widely held credential.
ARRT(N) alternative — ARRT post-primary path. Alternative to NMTCB.
State licensure — varies. Most states require ARRT(N) or NMTCB CNMT plus state-specific radiation safety registration.
NMTCB specialty credentials (post-grad) — NMTCB CT (PET/CT specialty), NMTCB PET, NMTCB NCT (Nuclear Cardiology). Pursued at year 1–2.
BLS certification — required for hospital NMT positions.

Setting Selection: NCI Cancer Center vs Cardiology vs Outpatient

NCI-designated cancer center (top tier for specialty exposure) — MD Anderson, MSKCC, Dana-Farber, Mayo, Cleveland Clinic, City of Hope, Fred Hutch, Moffitt, Roswell Park. PET/CT premium and rapidly growing theranostics (Pluvicto, Lutathera, expanding radioligand therapy pipeline).
Academic medical center — complex clinical research support, advanced protocols.
Large community hospital — general nuclear medicine plus cardiac SPECT MPI.
Cardiology practice (SPECT MPI) — high-volume myocardial perfusion at large cardiology groups.
Outpatient PET/CT imaging center — Akumin, RadNet, SimonMed PET/CT. Daytime hours.
Theranostics center (rapidly growing) — radioligand therapy programs at NCI cancer centers.
Federal NMT (VA, military) — federal pension and PSLF.

Sign-On Bonuses and PET/CT Specialty Path

Academic medical center sign-on — $5,000–$15,000 for new grad NMTs at major NCI cancer centers.
Rural shortage sign-on — $10,000–$25,000+ at critical-access hospital nuclear medicine.
Night shift differential — typically $3–$8/hour at hospitals with overnight stat nuclear medicine.
Call standby — typically $3–$7/hour.
PET/CT cross-modality (NMTCB CT — most efficient first move) — $3–$7/hour above general nuclear medicine. Pursue at year 1–2.
Theranostics specialty path — emerging premium specialty at NCI cancer centers. 177Lu-PSMA (Pluvicto), 177Lu-DOTATATE (Lutathera), 223Ra-Cl (Xofigo).

Year-by-Year Progression to NMT National Median

Year 0–1 (P10 baseline) — $90,073 national average. New grad NMT building radiopharmaceutical handling, gamma camera operation, patient interaction skills.
Year 1–2 (P10 → P25) — NMTCB CT (PET/CT) cross-modality. 5–10% raise.
Year 2–3 (P25 → mid-tier) — theranostics specialty training, cardiac SPECT MPI specialty.
Year 3–5 (approaching national median) — most NMTs reach $106,398 median with PET/CT and theranostics specialty.
Year 5+ — chief NMT / lead supervisor, theranostics radioligand therapy specialist, travel NMT strategy.

2026 New Grad NMT Salary Outlook

Entry-level NMT salary has grown at a compound annual rate of 4.96% nationally over the past five years — driven by rapid PET/CT volume growth (oncology staging, cardiac PET, amyloid / tau PET for Alzheimer's), explosive theranostics expansion (Pluvicto, Lutathera, expanding pipeline of radioligand therapies), aging NMT workforce, and structural NMT supply shortage.

Entry-Level to Mid-Career: Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary Growth

Nuclear Medicine Technologist salaries follow a predictable growth curve. Here's how pay typically progresses from entry-level to experienced:

Entry (P10)

$90,073

Year 0-1

Early Career (P25)

$100,360

Year 1-3

Mid-Career (P50)

$106,398

Year 3-7

Experienced (P75-P90)

$130,612–$147,011

Year 7+

$90,073$100,360$106,398$147,011

How to Maximize Your Starting Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary

New grad NMTs who strategically position credential, setting, and specialty path consistently land starting offers 25–45% above the national average. Here's how to maximize your first NMT salary:

1. Target NCI Cancer Center for PET/CT + Theranostics Exposure

NCI-designated cancer center (top tier for skill / pay) — MD Anderson Houston, MSKCC NYC, Dana-Farber Boston, Mayo, Cleveland Clinic, City of Hope LA, Fred Hutch Seattle, Moffitt Tampa, Roswell Park Buffalo, UCSF, UCLA, Stanford, UCSD, Northwestern, Penn Medicine, Johns Hopkins.
Theranostics center exposure — rapidly growing specialty. 177Lu-PSMA (Pluvicto), 177Lu-DOTATATE (Lutathera), 223Ra-Cl (Xofigo). Premium specialty positioning.
Academic medical center — complex clinical research support.
Cardiology practice (SPECT MPI) — high-volume cardiac perfusion.
Highest-paying new grad metro — San Jose, CA at $161,932.

2. Pass NMTCB CNMT or ARRT(N) Exam

JRCNMT-accredited program — required entry credential. 12–24 month program or 2-year associate / 4-year bachelor's.
NMTCB CNMT exam — most widely held national credential.
ARRT(N) alternative — ARRT post-primary path. Alternative to NMTCB.
State radiation safety registration — required for most state licensure.
BLS certification — required for hospital positions.
Continuing education — NMTCB requires 24 CE hours every 2 years.

3. Pursue NMTCB CT (PET/CT) Cross-Modality Year 1–2

NMTCB CT (PET/CT specialty — top move) — $3–$7/hour above general nuclear medicine. Most efficient ROI for new grad NMTs.
NMTCB PET specialty — specialty PET credential.
NMTCB NCT (Nuclear Cardiology Technologist) — cardiac specialty.
SCMR cardiac MR proficiency — cardiac imaging cross-training.
Theranostics training — emerging premium specialty.
ABMP MRSO (cross-credential) — for NMTs at integrated imaging centers.

4. Negotiate Sign-On Bonuses

Academic medical center sign-on — $5,000–$15,000 for new grad NMTs at NCI cancer centers and academic medical centers.
Rural shortage sign-on — $10,000–$25,000+ at critical-access hospital nuclear medicine.
Night shift differential — $3–$8/hour above day base at hospitals with overnight stat nuclear medicine.
Call standby + callback — $3–$7/hour standby plus full rate plus 1.5× during callbacks.
Tuition reimbursement for PET/CT cert — most academic medical centers cover NMTCB CT exam fees.
State licensure — California, Florida, Texas have state-specific radiation safety registration.

5. Plan Theranostics Specialty Track

Theranostics radioligand therapy — rapidly growing specialty. 177Lu-PSMA (Pluvicto for prostate cancer), 177Lu-DOTATATE (Lutathera for neuroendocrine tumors), 223Ra-Cl (Xofigo). Expanding pipeline: FAP-targeting (FAPI), 211At alpha emitters, novel PSMA conjugates.
NCI cancer center theranostics program — premium specialty exposure.
Lead NMT / chief technologist by year 3–5 — $3–$5/hour premium with administrative responsibilities.
Radiation safety officer (RSO) supplement — NMTs serving as facility RSO earn additional supplement.
Travel NMT after 1 year — Aya Healthcare, AMN Healthcare, Cross Country, Medical Solutions, Soliant. $45–$75/hour plus non-taxable per-diem.
Per diem NMT — 25–45% premium over staff base.

More Salary Resources

National OverviewComplete salary data for 1665+ cities Hourly Pay RatesPer-hour rates, part-time calculations Salary by StateAll 52 states compared Highest Paying StatesTop states ranked by salary

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the entry level nuclear medicine technologist salary?

The average entry level nuclear medicine technologist salary is $90,073 per year (approximately $43.30/hour) in 2026. This figure represents the 10th percentile of BLS wage data, which closely approximates what new graduates and first-year nuclear medicine technologists earn.

How much do new nuclear medicine technologists make with no experience?

New nuclear medicine technologists with no experience typically start around $90,073 per year nationally. However, starting pay varies significantly by location — from $39,769 in lower-paying areas to $161,932 in top-paying metro areas like San Jose, CA.

What state pays entry-level nuclear medicine technologists the most?

California pays entry-level nuclear medicine technologists the most, with an average starting salary of $133,351 per year across 156 metro areas.

How long does it take to reach the median nuclear medicine technologist salary?

Most nuclear medicine technologists reach the national median salary of $106,398 within 3 to 5 years of clinical practice. Those who pursue specialized certifications (local anesthesia, laser therapy) or work in high-demand settings can reach median pay sooner.

Is nuclear medicine school worth the investment?

Yes. With an average starting salary of $90,073 and program costs typically ranging from $18,000 to $45,000, most nuclear medicine graduates recoup their education investment within 1-3 years. The median salary of $106,398 and strong job growth (9% projected through 2033, faster than average) make it one of the best returns on investment in healthcare education.

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.

Clinically reviewed by David Martinez, BS, CNMTData verified by Fatima Nasir, MS, CNMT

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS 2025, released May 2026.

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

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. We applied a 4.96% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS trends, to estimate current 2026 compensation.