Entry-Level Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Jacksonville, FL: $81,491 (2026)
Quick Answer:New nuclear medicine technologists entering the Jacksonville, FL job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $81,491 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2033, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Jacksonville's local price level (BEA RPP 99.5 — 1% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $81,914 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($105,632) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
New graduates entering the nuclear medicine field in Jacksonville can expect an entry-level salary starting at around $81,491, which places them below the city's median for this profession of $105,632. This initial salary may be discouraging, but it is important for new technologists to recognize the potential for growth in their early career. Over the first few years, individuals can anticipate gradual salary increases, moving from the 10th percentile to the 25th percentile, and inching closer to the median as they gain experience and skills. Given the promising job market and salary trajectory, Jacksonville presents an attractive option for aspiring nuclear medicine technologists.
Career Earnings Timeline in Jacksonville
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 Jacksonville
Entry-level nuclear medicine technologists in Jacksonville, FL typically start between $81,491 and $86,676 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $28,140 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $105,632 — 0.72% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average nuclear medicine program cost in Florida of $26,000 represents just 31.91% of the starting nuclear medicine technologist pay ($81,491/year) in Jacksonville. 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 Jacksonville
- 1Research the Jacksonville market: entry-level nuclear medicine technologist pay ranges from $81,491 to $86,676, 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 FL often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Jacksonville, 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 Jacksonville for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Jacksonville'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 Jacksonville is $28,140 ( 34.53%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $81,491, experienced hygienists can earn up to $109,631.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$57,480
2025 BLS Actual
$77,640
2026 Current Est.
$81,491
2019–2027 Growth
+48.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Jacksonville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,480 | Actual |
| 2020 | $60,490 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,550 | Actual |
| 2022 | $65,960 | Actual |
| 2023 | $76,110 | Actual |
| 2024 | $78,110 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,640 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81,491 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $85,533 | Projected |
Entry-level nuclear medicine technologist compensation (10th percentile) in Jacksonville, FL grew 35.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $57,480 in 2019 to $77,640 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $85,533. New graduates entering the Jacksonville job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Jacksonville 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 Jacksonville
In Jacksonville, hospitals are the primary employers for recently graduated nuclear medicine technologists, often providing opportunities for paid PET/CT cross-training that significantly enhances skill sets and marketability. Outpatient PET imaging centers similarly seek new graduates, especially those with pre-credentialing, while theranostics centers typically require more experience. To elevate their earning potential, new technologists should pursue an Associate's or Bachelor's degree from JRCNMT-accredited programs and obtain national certification through NMTCB or ARRT(N). Additionally, gaining CT cross-training can open doors to lucrative jobs in PET/CT, a rapidly expanding area within the industry. While compensation may remain modest in the first year, the continued growth in theranostics presents a clear path for increased earnings, allowing those in the field to elevate their starting nuclear medicine technologist salary in Jacksonville to more competitive levels within just a few years.
More salary data for Jacksonville, FL:
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 Jacksonville. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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