Entry-Level Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Woodburn, OR: $83,727 (2026)
Quick Answer:New nuclear medicine technologists entering the Woodburn, OR job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $83,727 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2033, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Woodburn's local price level (BEA RPP 102.6 — 3% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $81,605 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($107,376) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, new graduates embarking on a career as nuclear medicine technologists in Woodburn, Oregon can expect a starting salary around $83,727. This figure positions them just below the city’s median annual salary of $107,376, indicating a gap that reflects the typical progression for early-career professionals. As entry-level technologists gain experience and possibly pursue related credentials, they can anticipate salary growth, moving from the P10 level to the P25 level of $91,316 within the first few years. With Woodburn's healthcare landscape evolving, particularly with advancements in PET/CT imaging and theranostics, new entrants to the field are presented with rewarding opportunities, making it a favorable market for recent graduates seeking to establish themselves.
About the Woodburn Market
Salary estimated from Oregon average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Woodburn
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 Woodburn
Entry-level nuclear medicine technologists in Woodburn, OR typically start between $83,727 and $91,316 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $53,293 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $107,376 — 0.92% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average nuclear medicine program cost in Oregon of $38,000 represents just 45.39% of the starting nuclear medicine technologist pay ($83,727/year) in Woodburn. 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 Woodburn
- 1Research the Woodburn market: entry-level nuclear medicine technologist pay ranges from $83,727 to $91,316, 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 Woodburn, 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 Woodburn for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Woodburn'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 Woodburn is $53,293 ( 63.65%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $83,727, experienced hygienists can earn up to $137,020.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$57,784
2025 BLS Actual
$79,770
2026 Current Est.
$83,727
2019–2027 Growth
+52.1%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Woodburn (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,784 | Actual |
| 2020 | $59,082 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,861 | Actual |
| 2022 | $66,080 | Actual |
| 2023 | $70,800 | Actual |
| 2024 | $93,920 | Actual |
| 2025 | $79,770 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $83,727 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $87,879 | Projected |
Entry-level nuclear medicine technologist compensation (10th percentile) in Woodburn, OR grew 38.0% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $57,784 in 2019 to $79,770 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $87,879. New graduates entering the Woodburn job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Woodburn 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 Woodburn
Entry-level nuclear medicine technologists in Woodburn typically find employment in various settings, including hospital nuclear medicine departments, which are often the primary employers of new graduates. Positions here may include paid PET/CT cross-training, vital for increasing skill sets and marketability. Outpatient imaging chains are also on the lookout for pre-credentialed PET technologists who are keen to step into hands-on roles. To boost starting pay in Oregon, gaining credentials from a JRCNMT-accredited program, along with NMTCB or ARRT(N) certification, is crucial. Many facilities look for state licenses and additional qualifications such as NMTCB-CT or ARRT-CT for PET/CT roles. Given the increasing demand in the PET/CT and theranostics segments, which involve cutting-edge treatments like Pluvicto and Lutathera, new graduates might expect steady salary growth in their early years, ultimately aligning closer to the median as they accumulate experience and specialized skills.
More salary data for Woodburn, OR:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for nuclear medicine technologists in Woodburn in 2026?
How fast do nuclear medicine technologist salaries grow in Woodburn?
Is nuclear medicine school worth it in Woodburn?
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How do I become a nuclear medicine technologist in Oregon?
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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 Woodburn. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Woodburn 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