Entry-Level Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Hays, KS: $77,696 (2026)
Quick Answer:New nuclear medicine technologists entering the Hays, KS job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $77,696 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2033, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Hays's local price level (BEA RPP 90.9 — 9% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $85,474 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($90,552) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For new graduates entering the nuclear medicine technologist field in Hays, Kansas, the 2026 starting nuclear medicine technologist salary ranges from a projected $77,696 at the 10th percentile to about $81,814 at the 25th percentile. While this may initially seem lower than the city’s median annual salary of $90,552, early-career professionals can expect a steady growth trajectory in their earnings during the first few years. The industry outlook is promising, with a growth rate of 4.96% anticipated annually, allowing new technologists to reach the median salary level relatively quickly. Hays offers a balanced market for entry-level positions, making it a viable option for recent graduates to kick-start their careers in this niche healthcare sector.
About the Hays Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Hays
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 Hays
Entry-level nuclear medicine technologists in Hays, KS typically start between $77,696 and $81,814 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $36,624 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $90,552 — 14.89% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average nuclear medicine program cost in Kansas of $24,000 represents just 30.89% of the starting nuclear medicine technologist pay ($77,696/year) in Hays. 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 Hays
- 1Research the Hays market: entry-level nuclear medicine technologist pay ranges from $77,696 to $81,814, 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 KS often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Hays, 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 Hays for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Hays's below-average 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 Hays is $36,624 ( 47.14%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $77,696, experienced hygienists can earn up to $114,320.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$53,622
2025 BLS Actual
$74,024
2026 Current Est.
$77,696
2019–2027 Growth
+52.1%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Hays (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,622 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,826 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,405 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,320 | Actual |
| 2023 | $65,700 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,522 | Actual |
| 2025 | $74,024 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77,696 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $81,549 | Projected |
Entry-level nuclear medicine technologist compensation (10th percentile) in Hays, KS grew 38.0% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $53,622 in 2019 to $74,024 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $81,549. New graduates entering the Hays job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hays 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 Hays
Locally, hospitals represent the primary employers for entry-level nuclear medicine technologists, often providing opportunities for on-the-job training, including paid PET/CT cross-training. Outpatient imaging centers may also hire newly credentialed PET techs, while theranostics centers typically seek professionals with several years of experience. For those looking to boost their starting pay in Kansas, obtaining credentials from an accredited JRCNMT program, achieving NMTCB or ARRT(N) certification, and completing cross-training in CT can be significant assets. As PET/CT and theranostics are among the fastest-growing areas in nuclear medicine, newly hired technologists focusing on these specialties can expect not only job stability but also competitive compensation. During the first three years, early-career professionals in Hays can realistically anticipate salary growth that aligns with the upward trajectory dictated by industry demand.
More salary data for Hays, KS:
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 Hays. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Hays 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