Entry-Level Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Bellevue, NE: $73,041 (2026)
Quick Answer:New nuclear medicine technologists entering the Bellevue, NE job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $73,041 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2033, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Bellevue's local price level (BEA RPP 91.5 — 8% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $79,826 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($94,272) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For new graduates entering the field of nuclear medicine technology in Bellevue, NE, the projected starting annual salary is approximately $73,041 in 2026. While this may seem modest in comparison to the local median of $94,272, there are opportunities for salary growth as new technologists gain experience. Over the first few years of employment, many can expect earnings to rise, with entry-level salaries progressing toward the $80,553 mark at the 25th percentile. Moreover, with a projected growth rate of 4.96% annually, Bellevue presents a promising job market for new grads seeking entry-level positions, particularly in facilities that are equipped to provide training and cross-training in more advanced modalities like PET/CT.
About the Bellevue Market
Salary estimated from Nebraska average ($86,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Bellevue
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 Bellevue
Entry-level nuclear medicine technologists in Bellevue, NE typically start between $73,041 and $80,553 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $53,873 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $94,272 — 11.4% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average nuclear medicine program cost in Nebraska of $28,000 represents just 38.33% of the starting nuclear medicine technologist pay ($73,041/year) in Bellevue. 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 Bellevue
- 1Research the Bellevue market: entry-level nuclear medicine technologist pay ranges from $73,041 to $80,553, 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 NE often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Bellevue, 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 Bellevue for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Bellevue'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 Bellevue is $53,873 ( 73.76%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $73,041, experienced hygienists can earn up to $126,914.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$50,409
2025 BLS Actual
$69,589
2026 Current Est.
$73,041
2019–2027 Growth
+52.1%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Bellevue (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50,409 | Actual |
| 2020 | $51,541 | Actual |
| 2021 | $53,965 | Actual |
| 2022 | $57,646 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,764 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,699 | Actual |
| 2025 | $69,589 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $73,041 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $76,663 | Projected |
Entry-level nuclear medicine technologist compensation (10th percentile) in Bellevue, NE grew 38.0% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $50,409 in 2019 to $69,589 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $76,663. New graduates entering the Bellevue job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bellevue 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 Bellevue
In Bellevue, various employers are eager to hire new nuclear medicine technologists. Hospital nuclear medicine departments make up a significant part of the hiring landscape, often offering paid training opportunities in PET/CT, which is becoming increasingly relevant as demand surges for this technology. Outpatient PET imaging centers typically look for pre-credentialed PET technicians, while theranostics centers prefer candidates with a minimum of three to five years of experience, especially given the rapid growth of radiopharmaceutical therapies like Pluvicto and Lutathera. To enhance their starting pay prospects in Nebraska, new graduates should focus on obtaining credentials from institutions such as JRCNMT, National Board on Certification and Continuing Education (NMTCB), or the ARRT (N), along with state licensing. Engaging in continuing education programs and aiming for CT cross-training can further improve job marketability and salary potential. Realistically, entry-level technicians might anticipate salary increases during their first three years, especially as they gain specialized skills in the burgeoning areas of PET/CT and theranostics.
More salary data for Bellevue, NE:
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 Bellevue. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Bellevue 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