Entry-Level Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Toledo, OH: $84,734 (2026)
Quick Answer:New nuclear medicine technologists entering the Toledo, OH job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $84,734 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2033, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Toledo's local price level (BEA RPP 91.5 — 9% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $92,651 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($100,919) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
For those entering the field of nuclear medicine technology, the starting nuclear medicine technologist salary in Toledo is projected to be around $84,734 in 2026. New graduates should have realistic expectations that this amount is on the lower end compared to the median annual salary of $100,919 for experienced technologists in the area, illustrating a potential income gap of about $16,185. Over a new technologist's first few years, pay can expect to grow gradually, reaching approximately $87,694 within the first quarter of their career, reflecting a typical advancement path. Overall, Toledo presents a solid job market for recent graduates, especially given the sustaining demand for nuclear medicine services and the importance of radiopharmaceutical therapies which could influence future growth in salaries.
Career Earnings Timeline in Toledo
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 Toledo
Entry-level nuclear medicine technologists in Toledo, OH typically start between $84,734 and $87,694 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $21,528 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $100,919 — 5.15% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average nuclear medicine program cost in Ohio of $30,000 represents just 35.40% of the starting nuclear medicine technologist pay ($84,734/year) in Toledo. 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 Toledo
- 1Research the Toledo market: entry-level nuclear medicine technologist pay ranges from $84,734 to $87,694, 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 OH often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Toledo, 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 Toledo for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Toledo'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 Toledo is $21,528 ( 25.41%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $84,734, experienced hygienists can earn up to $106,262.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$56,630
2025 BLS Actual
$80,730
2026 Current Est.
$84,734
2019–2027 Growth
+57.0%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Toledo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,630 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,390 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,460 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,320 | Actual |
| 2023 | $66,780 | Actual |
| 2024 | $77,820 | Actual |
| 2025 | $80,730 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $84,734 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $88,937 | Projected |
Entry-level nuclear medicine technologist compensation (10th percentile) in Toledo, OH grew 42.6% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $56,630 in 2019 to $80,730 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $88,937. New graduates entering the Toledo job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Toledo 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 Toledo
In Toledo, local employers predominantly hiring new entrants into the nuclear medicine field include hospital nuclear medicine departments, which often provide essential paid PET/CT cross-training for newly credentialed technologists. Outpatient PET imaging chains look favorably upon candidates who come pre-credentialed as PET techs, while theranostics centers typically seek professionals with 3-5 years of PET/CT experience. To enhance earning potential, graduates should consider pursuing credentials from recognized bodies like the NMTCB or ARRT(N), as well as acquiring a state license and relevant CT cross-training. The first few years in this profession hold great potential; with the focus on PET/CT and theranostics, which are set to expand given their growth and the associated higher pay, early-career nuclear medicine technologists can foster lucrative pathways. Realistically, those in their first three years can anticipate gradual increases in their salaries as they optimize their skills and capitalize on evolving market opportunities in Toledo.
More salary data for Toledo, OH:
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 Toledo. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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