Entry-Level Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Fort Collins, CO: $85,026 (2026)
Quick Answer:New nuclear medicine technologists entering the Fort Collins, CO job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $85,026 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2033, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Fort Collins's local price level (BEA RPP 105.0 — 5% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $80,977 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($110,692) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For those entering the field of nuclear medicine technology in Fort Collins, the starting nuclear medicine technologist salary is projected at $85,026 in 2026. This initial compensation is slightly lower than the overall city median salary of $110,692, highlighting a significant gap that early-career professionals may experience. However, within the first several years on the job, there's an anticipated growth trajectory as salaries move upwards through the P25 at $91,631 toward the median. The city's market currently presents favorable conditions for new graduates, particularly with a growth rate of 4.96%, suggesting that there will be ample opportunities as one navigates the early stages of their career in this expanding field.
About the Fort Collins Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($102,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Fort Collins
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 Fort Collins
Entry-level nuclear medicine technologists in Fort Collins, CO typically start between $85,026 and $91,631 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $63,506 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $110,692 — 4.04% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average nuclear medicine program cost in Colorado of $36,000 represents just 42.34% of the starting nuclear medicine technologist pay ($85,026/year) in Fort Collins. 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 Fort Collins
- 1Research the Fort Collins market: entry-level nuclear medicine technologist pay ranges from $85,026 to $91,631, 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 Fort Collins, 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 Fort Collins for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Fort Collins'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 Fort Collins is $63,506 ( 74.69%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $85,026, experienced hygienists can earn up to $148,532.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$58,681
2025 BLS Actual
$81,008
2026 Current Est.
$85,026
2019–2027 Growth
+52.1%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Fort Collins (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58,681 | Actual |
| 2020 | $59,999 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,821 | Actual |
| 2022 | $77,630 | Actual |
| 2023 | $71,899 | Actual |
| 2024 | $82,413 | Actual |
| 2025 | $81,008 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $85,026 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $89,243 | Projected |
Entry-level nuclear medicine technologist compensation (10th percentile) in Fort Collins, CO grew 38.0% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $58,681 in 2019 to $81,008 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $89,243. New graduates entering the Fort Collins job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fort Collins 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 Fort Collins
In Fort Collins, hospitals are the primary employers hiring newly graduated nuclear medicine technologists, often offering paid cross-training in PET/CT, which is a significant advantage for early-career professionals. Outpatient PET imaging chains also actively recruit pre-credentialed PET technicians, while theranostics centers typically require 3-5 years of specific experience before considering applicants. To enhance starting pay in Colorado, graduates should focus on obtaining credentials from accredited programs, such as those recognized by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Nuclear Medicine Technology (JRCNMT), and aim for national certifications like NMTCB or ARRT(N). Furthermore, investing in CT cross-training and ensuring radiation safety training can provide a substantial boost to initial salaries. Given that the demand for PET/CT and theranostics is on the rise, early-career professionals should strategically align themselves with these sectors to experience significant salary growth over their first few years in the market.
More salary data for Fort Collins, 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 Fort Collins. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Fort Collins 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