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 94.4 — 6% 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.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

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
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 Clovis
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 $95,380 — 10.36% below the national median.
Return on Investment
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 (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,953 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,142 | Actual |
| 2021 | $56,689 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,555 | Actual |
| 2023 | $64,881 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,789 | Actual |
| 2025 | $73,101 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $76,727 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $80,532 | Projected |
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 (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Clovis 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 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.
More salary data for Clovis, NM:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for nuclear medicine technologists in Clovis in 2026?
How fast do nuclear medicine technologist salaries grow in Clovis?
Is nuclear medicine school worth it in Clovis?
What do new nuclear medicine technologists make right out of school in Clovis?
How do I become a nuclear medicine technologist in New Mexico?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in New Mexico
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 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).
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