Entry-Level Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Commerce City, CO: $84,606 (2026)
Quick Answer:New nuclear medicine technologists entering the Commerce City, CO job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $84,606 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2033, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Commerce City's local price level (BEA RPP 105.0 — 5% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $80,577 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($108,375) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For new graduates embarking on a career in nuclear medicine technology in Commerce City, the starting nuclear medicine technologist salary is projected at around $84,606 in 2026. This starting pay serves as a foundational entry point for those just beginning their careers, creating a gap from the city's median annual salary of $108,375. Over the first three to five years, fresh entrants can realistically expect their salaries to grow, with key milestones at approximately $92,833 and eventually reaching the median. Commerce City presents a favorable market for recent graduates, offering opportunities that align well with rising demand in a specialty field that is evolving rapidly, particularly in areas such as PET/CT and theranostics.
About the Commerce City Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($102,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Commerce City
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Commerce City
Entry-level nuclear medicine technologists in Commerce City, CO typically start between $84,606 and $92,833 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $57,446 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $108,375 — 1.86% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average nuclear medicine program cost in Colorado of $36,000 represents just 42.55% of the starting nuclear medicine technologist pay ($84,606/year) in Commerce City. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on JRCNMT-accredited nuclear medicine technology program data. Available as associate degree, bachelor's degree, or post-primary certificate pathways. Tuition-only averages; actual costs vary significantly by institution type.
NMT Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Commerce City
- 1Research the Commerce City market: entry-level nuclear medicine technologist pay ranges from $84,606 to $92,833, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the nuclear medicine field — employers in CO often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Commerce City, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Commerce City for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Commerce City's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Compensation Range
The nuclear medicine technologist wage spread in Commerce City is $57,446 ( 67.90%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $84,606, experienced hygienists can earn up to $142,052.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$58,391
2025 BLS Actual
$80,608
2026 Current Est.
$84,606
2019–2027 Growth
+52.1%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Commerce City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58,391 | Actual |
| 2020 | $59,702 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,510 | Actual |
| 2022 | $66,774 | Actual |
| 2023 | $71,544 | Actual |
| 2024 | $82,010 | Actual |
| 2025 | $80,608 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $84,606 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $88,803 | Projected |
Entry-level nuclear medicine technologist compensation (10th percentile) in Commerce City, CO grew 38.0% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $58,391 in 2019 to $80,608 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $88,803. New graduates entering the Commerce City job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Commerce City 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.
Starting Your nuclear medicine Career in Commerce City
When considering employment opportunities, new grads should look towards hospital nuclear medicine departments, which often recruit fresh talent eager to gain practical experience and may offer paid PET/CT cross-training. Outpatient imaging centers prioritize hiring technicians who are already pre-credentialed in PET imaging, while theranostics facilities typically prefer candidates with 3-5 years of relevant experience. Educational credentials play a vital role in shaping starting pay in CO; completing an Associate's or Bachelor's degree from a JRCNMT-accredited program, obtaining NMTCB or ARRT(N) certification, and securing a state license are essential steps. Additionally, continuing education, such as CT cross-training for those interested in PET/CT roles and radiation safety training, can significantly enhance job prospects and salary potential. Within the first few years, growth expectations in this specific job market could see salaries increase beyond entry-level pay, particularly as the demand for PET/CT services and radiopharmaceutical therapies continues to rise.
More salary data for Commerce City, CO:
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
Entry-level 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 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new nuclear medicine graduates. A 4.96% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Commerce City. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Commerce City 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