Nuclear Med Tech Salary

Entry-Level Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Clovis, NM: $76,727 (2026)

Quick Answer:New nuclear medicine technologists entering the Clovis, NM job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $76,727 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2033, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Clovis's local price level (BEA RPP 94.46% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $81,279 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($95,380) within a few years of clinical practice.

$76,727
Starting Salary
$36.88/hr
Starting Hourly
$76,727
Entry Level
$95,380
Career Median Target

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Nuclear Medicine Technologist Entry Level Salary in Clovis, NM — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Clovis, NM nuclear medicine technologist entry level salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In 2026, new graduates embarking on their careers as nuclear medicine technologists in Clovis, NM, can anticipate a starting salary around $76,727, which is notably lower than the city’s median annual salary of $95,380. This initial pay represents the entry-level tier for those entering the field, indicating a significant gap that early-career professionals need to consider. However, the ability to progress in this profession offers promising growth potential; even within the first few years, new technologists can find average salaries climbing toward the P25 level of $82,852. Given the regional demand for skilled technologists and an annual growth rate of 4.96%, Clovis may currently present a favorable market for recent graduates seeking to establish their careers in nuclear medicine technology.

About the Clovis Market

Salary estimated from New Mexico average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Career Earnings Timeline in Clovis

Year 0-2

New Graduate

$76,727/yr
Year 2-5

Early Career

$82,852/yr
Year 5-10

Mid Career

$95,380/yr
Year 10+

Experienced

$108,232/yr

Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Clovis

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for nuclear medicine technologists in Clovis. The median salary is $95,380, compared to the national median of $106,398.$69.1K$83.6K$98.1K$112.6K$127.2K$76.7K10th Pctl$82.9K25th Pctl$95.4KMedian$108.2K75th Pctl$121.1K90th PctlUS Median$106.4K

Entry-level nuclear medicine technologists in Clovis, NM typically start between $76,727 and $82,852 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $44,379 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $95,38010.36% below the national median.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of nuclear medicine technologist pay in the Clovis metro area.

Return on Investment

$24,000
Avg NM Program Cost
$76,727
Starting Salary
31.28%
Cost-to-Salary Ratio
<1 yr
Payback Estimate

The average nuclear medicine program cost in New Mexico of $24,000 represents just 31.28% of the starting nuclear medicine technologist pay ($76,727/year) in Clovis. 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 Clovis

  • 1Research the Clovis market: entry-level nuclear medicine technologist pay ranges from $76,727 to $82,852, 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 NM often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
  • 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Clovis, 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 Clovis for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
  • 5Clovis'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 Clovis is $44,379 ( 57.84%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $76,727, experienced hygienists can earn up to $121,106.

Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.

2019 BLS Actual

$52,953

2025 BLS Actual

$73,101

2026 Current Est.

$76,727

2019–2027 Growth

+52.1%

Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Clovis (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for nuclear medicine technologists in Clovis. Baseline $52,953 in 2025, projected to $80,532 by 2027.$47.4K$57.1K$66.7K$76.4K$86.0K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$53.0K$54.1K$56.7K$60.6K$64.9K$59.8K$73.1K$76.7K$80.5K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$52,953Actual
2020$54,142Actual
2021$56,689Actual
2022$60,555Actual
2023$64,881Actual
2024$59,789Actual
2025$73,101Actual
2026(current)$76,727Estimated
2027$80,532Projected

Entry-level nuclear medicine technologist compensation (10th percentile) in Clovis, NM grew 38.0% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $52,953 in 2019 to $73,101 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $80,532. New graduates entering the Clovis job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Clovis metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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 Clovis

Employers such as hospitals and outpatient imaging centers are key players in hiring entry-level nuclear medicine technologists. Hospitals typically seek candidates for nuclear medicine departments, often assisting with paid PET/CT cross-training. Outpatient PET imaging chains are keen to recruit new grad nuclear medicine technologist candidates who come pre-credentialed as PET techs. For those pursuing roles in theranostics centers, however, it's essential to have several years of experience before being considered. New graduates can boost their starting nuclear medicine technologist pay in NM by obtaining an Associate's or Bachelor's degree from a JRCNMT-accredited program and acquiring national certifications like NMTCB or ARRT(N), which are beneficial when seeking licensure. Additionally, pursuing CT cross-training can open doors, especially in a market where PET/CT and theranostics are the fastest-growing segments of the profession. For the first one to three years, salary growth expectations are manageable, allowing new professionals to leverage certifications and additional training as strategies to increase their earning capacity and job prospects in a competitive environment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the starting salary for nuclear medicine technologists in Clovis in 2026?

Entry-level nuclear medicine technologists in Clovis start at approximately $76,727/year (10th percentile), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 4.96% annual growth). This is the typical range for new graduates with less than 1 year of clinical experience. The starting hourly equivalent is approximately $36.89/hour for full-time work. Starting pay depends on the practice type (private vs. large organization), patient volume, location within the metro area, and whether the position includes benefits.

How fast do nuclear medicine technologist salaries grow in Clovis?

Most nuclear medicine technologists in Clovis progress from the entry-level salary of $76,727 to the area median of $95,380 within 3–5 years of clinical experience. Top earners with specializations and certifications reach $121,106 (90th percentile). The biggest salary jumps typically come in years 2–5 as clinical skills develop, and again when obtaining advanced certifications or expanded-function credentials. Salary growth after 10 years tends to plateau unless moving into management or education roles.

Is nuclear medicine school worth it in Clovis?

With a starting salary of $76,727/year in Clovis and typical program costs ranging from $20,000–$80,000 for the required degree, graduates can expect a strong return on investment. Most new nuclear medicine technologists recoup their tuition within 1–3 years of working full-time. The profession also offers excellent work-life balance, flexible scheduling, low unemployment rates, and growing demand driven by an aging population's care needs.

What do new nuclear medicine technologists make right out of school in Clovis?

New nuclear medicine graduates in Clovis typically start near the 10th percentile at $76,727/year, or approximately $36.89/hour. Starting pay varies based on the practice type, patient volume, geographic location within the metro area, and whether the compensation package includes benefits like health insurance and retirement contributions. Graduates with internships at high-production practices often secure higher starting offers.

How do I become a nuclear medicine technologist in New Mexico?

To become a licensed nuclear medicine technologist in New Mexico, you typically need an associate degree or bachelor's degree in nuclear medicine technology is required., then pass the required national and state licensing examinations. Most states, including New Mexico, also require a clinical licensing exam. After obtaining licensure, you must maintain it through continuing education credits. Some nuclear medicine technologists pursue advanced degrees for career advancement into education, research, or public health roles.

Related Pages

Nearby Cities in New Mexico

AC

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.

Clinically reviewed by David Martinez, BS, CNMTData verified by Fatima Nasir, MS, CNMT

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 Clovis. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.

Data Sources & Methodology

Salary data for Clovis is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

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

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