Entry-Level Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Hillsboro, OR: $102,831 (2026)
Quick Answer:New nuclear medicine technologists entering the Hillsboro, OR job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $102,831 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2033, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Hillsboro's local price level (BEA RPP 102.6 — 3% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $100,225 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($136,344) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected starting nuclear medicine technologist salary in Hillsboro, Oregon, set at $102,831 in 2026, new graduates can anticipate a competitive market, especially when compared to the overall city median of $136,344. This gap suggests room for growth as entry-level professionals advance through their careers. In the first few years, it’s realistic for technologists to aim for upward movement, with potential increases reaching as high as the 25th percentile salary of $114,486, signaling a positive trajectory in this field. Hillsboro currently presents a solid market for fresh graduates eager to enter the medical imaging sector, supported by the demand for skilled professionals, particularly in the expanding domains of PET/CT and theranostics.
About the Hillsboro Market
Salary estimated from Oregon average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Hillsboro
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 Hillsboro
Entry-level nuclear medicine technologists in Hillsboro, OR typically start between $102,831 and $114,486 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $77,475 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $136,344 — 28.15% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average nuclear medicine program cost in Oregon of $38,000 represents just 36.95% of the starting nuclear medicine technologist pay ($102,831/year) in Hillsboro. 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 Hillsboro
- 1Research the Hillsboro market: entry-level nuclear medicine technologist pay ranges from $102,831 to $114,486, 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 OR often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Hillsboro, 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 Hillsboro for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Hillsboro'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 Hillsboro is $77,475 ( 75.34%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $102,831, experienced hygienists can earn up to $180,306.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$70,969
2025 BLS Actual
$97,972
2026 Current Est.
$102,831
2019–2027 Growth
+52.1%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Hillsboro (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $70,969 | Actual |
| 2020 | $72,563 | Actual |
| 2021 | $75,976 | Actual |
| 2022 | $81,158 | Actual |
| 2023 | $86,955 | Actual |
| 2024 | $95,384 | Actual |
| 2025 | $97,972 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $102,831 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $107,932 | Projected |
Entry-level nuclear medicine technologist compensation (10th percentile) in Hillsboro, OR grew 38.0% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $70,969 in 2019 to $97,972 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $107,932. New graduates entering the Hillsboro job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hillsboro 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 Hillsboro
In Hillsboro, employers such as hospital nuclear medicine departments are notable for bringing in new graduates and frequently offer paid training in PET/CT. Outpatient PET imaging centers typically seek pre-credentialed technicians, while theranostics facilities usually require prior experience. Obtaining the necessary credentials—an Associate's or Bachelor's degree from a JRCNMT-accredited program, along with a national certification from NMTCB or ARRT(N)—can significantly elevate starting pay. Additional qualifications like CT cross-training and radiation safety training are also advantageous. As a new grad, focusing on gaining experience in PET/CT and theranostics, which are among the fastest-growing areas in the field, could yield accelerated career advancement and potential salary growth in the early years, positioning oneself for higher-paying opportunities as these segments continue to expand.
More salary data for Hillsboro, OR:
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 Hillsboro. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Hillsboro 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