Entry-Level Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Chelmsford, MA: $87,983 (2026)
Quick Answer:New nuclear medicine technologists entering the Chelmsford, MA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $87,983 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2033, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Chelmsford's local price level (BEA RPP 108.5 — 9% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $81,090 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($109,734) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Graduating as a nuclear medicine technologist in Chelmsford, Massachusetts, offers a solid financial outlook for newcomers in 2026. With a starting nuclear medicine technologist salary projected at $87,983, entry-level professionals can expect to earn considerably less than the city median of $109,734. However, there is potential for growth: as new technologists gain experience, salaries are expected to rise, bridging the gap to the median over three to five years. The expected increase to $95,450 at the 25th percentile also indicates promising upward mobility within the first few years, making Chelmsford a viable market for new graduates eager to make their mark in the healthcare industry.
About the Chelmsford Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($116,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Chelmsford
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 Chelmsford
Entry-level nuclear medicine technologists in Chelmsford, MA typically start between $87,983 and $95,450 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $55,707 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $109,734 — 3.14% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average nuclear medicine program cost in Massachusetts of $62,000 represents just 70.47% of the starting nuclear medicine technologist pay ($87,983/year) in Chelmsford. 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 Chelmsford
- 1Research the Chelmsford market: entry-level nuclear medicine technologist pay ranges from $87,983 to $95,450, 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 MA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Chelmsford, 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 Chelmsford for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Chelmsford'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 Chelmsford is $55,707 ( 63.32%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $87,983, experienced hygienists can earn up to $143,690.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$60,722
2025 BLS Actual
$83,825
2026 Current Est.
$87,983
2019–2027 Growth
+52.1%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Chelmsford (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $60,722 | Actual |
| 2020 | $62,085 | Actual |
| 2021 | $65,005 | Actual |
| 2022 | $69,439 | Actual |
| 2023 | $74,399 | Actual |
| 2024 | $96,993 | Actual |
| 2025 | $83,825 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $87,983 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $92,347 | Projected |
Entry-level nuclear medicine technologist compensation (10th percentile) in Chelmsford, MA grew 38.0% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $60,722 in 2019 to $83,825 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $92,347. New graduates entering the Chelmsford job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chelmsford 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 Chelmsford
New graduates entering the nuclear medicine field in Chelmsford should focus on employers that actively seek entry-level talent, such as local hospital nuclear medicine departments, which typically offer robust training programs including paid cross-training in PET/CT. Outpatient imaging chains may also hire pre-credentialed PET techs, making them an attractive option for fresh graduates. Gaining relevant credentials, including an Associate's or Bachelor's degree from a JRCNMT-accredited program, national certification through NMTCB or ARRT(N), and state licensing, can significantly enhance earning potential. Cross-training in CT is particularly valuable as PET/CT roles are expanding, especially in advanced areas like theranostics for radiopharmaceutical therapies such as Pluvicto and Lutathera, which pay well. New professionals can expect realistic salary growth to align closer to the market median within the first three years, especially if they seek continued education and specialization in these emerging sectors.
More salary data for Chelmsford, MA:
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 Chelmsford. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Chelmsford 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