Entry-Level Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Topeka, KS: $70,202 (2026)
Quick Answer:New nuclear medicine technologists entering the Topeka, KS job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $70,202 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2033, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Topeka's local price level (BEA RPP 90.9 — 9% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $77,230 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($97,647) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Entering the workforce as a nuclear medicine technologist in Topeka means starting at a projected salary of $70,202 in 2026. This initial pay is notably below the city's median annual salary of $97,647, indicating a considerable gap for new professionals as they begin their careers. However, the outlook remains positive, as entry-level positions can evolve significantly over time; the journey from $70,202 to $85,112 at the 25th percentile suggests that with experience and skill development, new graduates can expect a healthy escalation in their earnings within the first few years. For aspiring technologists, Topeka presents a favorable job market, with its competitive entry-level salaries and opportunities for growth supported by industry advancements in PET/CT and theranostics.
About the Topeka Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Topeka
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 Topeka
Entry-level nuclear medicine technologists in Topeka, KS typically start between $70,202 and $85,112 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $64,539 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $97,647 — 8.22% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average nuclear medicine program cost in Kansas of $24,000 represents just 34.19% of the starting nuclear medicine technologist pay ($70,202/year) in Topeka. 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 Topeka
- 1Research the Topeka market: entry-level nuclear medicine technologist pay ranges from $70,202 to $85,112, 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 Topeka, 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 Topeka for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Topeka'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 Topeka is $64,539 ( 91.93%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $70,202, experienced hygienists can earn up to $134,741.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$48,451
2025 BLS Actual
$66,885
2026 Current Est.
$70,202
2019–2027 Growth
+52.1%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Topeka (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,451 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,538 | Actual |
| 2021 | $51,868 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,406 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,364 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,744 | Actual |
| 2025 | $66,885 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $70,202 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $73,685 | Projected |
Entry-level nuclear medicine technologist compensation (10th percentile) in Topeka, KS grew 38.0% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $48,451 in 2019 to $66,885 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $73,685. New graduates entering the Topeka job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Topeka 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 Topeka
In Topeka, hospitals and outpatient imaging centers actively recruit recent graduates in nuclear medicine technology. Many facilities provide paid training that includes essential PET/CT cross-training, making them attractive for new grads aiming to increase their credentials. For those eager to enhance their starting nuclear medicine technologist salary in Topeka, obtaining a degree from a JRCNMT-accredited program, along with national certifications from the NMTCB or ARRT(N), is crucial. Many employers favor candidates with CT cross-training due to the growing relevance of theranostics in today’s healthcare landscape, which can lead to higher salaries. A strategic focus for new graduates within the first three years should center on gaining experience in these advanced modalities, potentially leading to quicker salary increases as the demand for skilled technologists continues to rise and roles that emphasize only SPECT are becoming less favorable.
More salary data for Topeka, 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 Topeka. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Topeka 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