Entry-Level Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Oregon City, OR: $85,500 (2026)
Quick Answer:New nuclear medicine technologists entering the Oregon City, OR job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $85,500 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2033, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Oregon City's local price level (BEA RPP 102.6 — 3% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $83,333 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($108,096) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
New graduates entering the nuclear medicine field in Oregon City can expect to see starting salaries around $85,500 in 2026. While this entry-level pay is somewhat less than the overall median annual salary of $108,096 for the region, it is still competitive compared to many health care positions. As new technologists gain experience and develop their skills within their first three to five years, they can reasonably anticipate their earnings to rise to approximately $92,823 at the 25th percentile, ultimately moving closer to the median. Given the current job market dynamics in Oregon City, fresh graduates entering nuclear medicine technology find themselves in a supportive environment, especially with the ongoing increase in demand for skilled professionals in this field.
About the Oregon City Market
Salary estimated from Oregon average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Oregon City
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 Oregon City
Entry-level nuclear medicine technologists in Oregon City, OR typically start between $85,500 and $92,823 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $50,309 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $108,096 — 1.6% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average nuclear medicine program cost in Oregon of $38,000 represents just 44.44% of the starting nuclear medicine technologist pay ($85,500/year) in Oregon City. 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 Oregon City
- 1Research the Oregon City market: entry-level nuclear medicine technologist pay ranges from $85,500 to $92,823, 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 Oregon City, 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 Oregon City for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Oregon City'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 Oregon City is $50,309 ( 58.84%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $85,500, experienced hygienists can earn up to $135,809.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$59,008
2025 BLS Actual
$81,460
2026 Current Est.
$85,500
2019–2027 Growth
+52.1%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Oregon City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,008 | Actual |
| 2020 | $60,333 | Actual |
| 2021 | $63,171 | Actual |
| 2022 | $67,480 | Actual |
| 2023 | $72,300 | Actual |
| 2024 | $95,894 | Actual |
| 2025 | $81,460 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $85,500 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $89,741 | Projected |
Entry-level nuclear medicine technologist compensation (10th percentile) in Oregon City, OR grew 38.0% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $59,008 in 2019 to $81,460 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $89,741. New graduates entering the Oregon City job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oregon City 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 Oregon City
Employers in Oregon City primarily hiring entry-level nuclear medicine technologists include hospital nuclear medicine departments and outpatient imaging centers, both of which often offer programs for paid cross-training in PET/CT. Many outpatient facilities look for graduates who are already credentialed as PET technologists, while theranostics centers tend to prefer candidates with 3-5 years of experience in PET/CT. To enhance starting pay, new technologists are encouraged to complete their education at JRCNMT-accredited programs and acquire national certifications from NMTCB or ARRT(N), along with necessary state licenses. For those just starting in their careers, focusing on areas like PET/CT and theranostics will be particularly beneficial, as these segments are seeing the most growth and providing higher compensation. With realistic salary growth, it is achievable for newcomers to see significant increases in their annual earnings during their first few years in the field, reinforcing the opportunities available in Oregon City’s healthcare landscape.
More salary data for Oregon City, OR:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for nuclear medicine technologists in Oregon City in 2026?
How fast do nuclear medicine technologist salaries grow in Oregon City?
Is nuclear medicine school worth it in Oregon City?
What do new nuclear medicine technologists make right out of school in Oregon City?
How do I become a nuclear medicine technologist in Oregon?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Oregon
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 Oregon City. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Oregon City 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