Entry-Level Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Irving, TX: $77,273 (2026)
Quick Answer:New nuclear medicine technologists entering the Irving, TX job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $77,273 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2033, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Irving's local price level (BEA RPP 96.0 — 4% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $80,493 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($107,054) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, new graduates venturing into the field of nuclear medicine technology in Irving, Texas, can expect to start their careers with an entry-level salary around $77,273. While this figure may seem modest compared to the overall city median of $107,054, it provides a solid foundation for recent program graduates. Over the first three to five years, aspirants can anticipate salary growth, advancing from this entry-level bracket toward the $87,946 mark for the 25th percentile and potentially reaching the median as they gain experience and build their clinical proficiency. Given the 4.96% annual growth rate in this sector, Irving presents a promising market for new nuclear medicine technologists, encouraging both entry-level entries and long-term career progression.
About the Irving Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Irving
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 Irving
Entry-level nuclear medicine technologists in Irving, TX typically start between $77,273 and $87,946 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $67,581 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $107,054 — 0.62% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average nuclear medicine program cost in Texas of $32,000 represents just 41.41% of the starting nuclear medicine technologist pay ($77,273/year) in Irving. 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 Irving
- 1Research the Irving market: entry-level nuclear medicine technologist pay ranges from $77,273 to $87,946, 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 TX often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Irving, 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 Irving for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Irving'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 Irving is $67,581 ( 87.46%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $77,273, experienced hygienists can earn up to $144,854.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$53,330
2025 BLS Actual
$73,621
2026 Current Est.
$77,273
2019–2027 Growth
+52.1%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Irving (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,330 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,527 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,092 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,986 | Actual |
| 2023 | $65,342 | Actual |
| 2024 | $67,579 | Actual |
| 2025 | $73,621 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77,273 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $81,105 | Projected |
Entry-level nuclear medicine technologist compensation (10th percentile) in Irving, TX grew 38.0% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $53,330 in 2019 to $73,621 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $81,105. New graduates entering the Irving job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Irving 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 Irving
Navigating early career pathways can significantly influence new grad nuclear medicine technologist pay in TX. Hospitals in the Irving area frequently hire recent graduates, particularly within their nuclear medicine departments, where they offer options for paid cross-training in advanced imaging modalities like PET/CT. Alternatively, outpatient PET imaging facilities look for pre-credentialed PET technologists, while theranostics centers typically require a foundation of experience—3 to 5 years—in PET/CT prior to consideration. Completing an Associate’s or bachelor’s degree from a JRCNMT-accredited program, obtaining NMTCB or ARRT(N) certifications, and pursuing CT cross-training can enhance starting nuclear medicine technologist salary in Irving. As the field increasingly shifts towards innovative treatments involving radiopharmaceuticals like Pluvicto and Lutathera, technologists focused on PET/CT technology are better positioned for higher wages, with realistic growth expectations that can resonate into the upper echelons of the salary spectrum within their first few years.
More salary data for Irving, TX:
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 Irving. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Irving 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