Nuclear Med Tech Salary

Entry-Level Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Killeen, TX: $76,900 (2026)

Quick Answer:New nuclear medicine technologists entering the Killeen, TX job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $76,900 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2033, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Killeen's local price level (BEA RPP 96.04% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $80,104 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($104,323) within a few years of clinical practice.

$76,900
Starting Salary
$36.97/hr
Starting Hourly
$76,900
Entry Level
$104,323
Career Median Target

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Nuclear Medicine Technologist Entry Level Salary in Killeen, TX — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Killeen, TX nuclear medicine technologist entry level salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

Starting your career as a nuclear medicine technologist in Killeen, Texas, offers promising financial prospects, especially as you enter the workforce in 2026. Fresh graduates can expect an entry level nuclear medicine technologist salary Killeen at around $76,900, which is significantly lower than the city's median annual salary of $104,323. Yet, this initial pay represents a solid foundation, as new technologists can realistically anticipate salary growth within the early years. In just a few years, many can evolve their earning potential to exceed $86,170 at the 25th percentile, with the opportunity to reach the median salary as they gain experience and expertise. Given the excellent 4.96% annual growth rate projected, Killeen remains an attractive market for new graduates seeking to start their careers in nuclear medicine technology.

About the Killeen Market

Salary estimated from Texas average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Career Earnings Timeline in Killeen

Year 0-2

New Graduate

$76,900/yr
Year 2-5

Early Career

$86,170/yr
Year 5-10

Mid Career

$104,323/yr
Year 10+

Experienced

$121,452/yr

Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Killeen

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for nuclear medicine technologists in Killeen. The median salary is $104,323, compared to the national median of $106,398.$69.2K$90.3K$111.3K$132.4K$153.5K$76.9K10th Pctl$86.2K25th Pctl$104.3KMedian$121.5K75th Pctl$146.1K90th PctlUS Median$106.4K

Entry-level nuclear medicine technologists in Killeen, TX typically start between $76,900 and $86,170 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $69,249 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $104,3231.95% below the national median.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of nuclear medicine technologist pay in the Killeen metro area.

Return on Investment

$32,000
Avg TX Program Cost
$76,900
Starting Salary
41.61%
Cost-to-Salary Ratio
<1 yr
Payback Estimate

The average nuclear medicine program cost in Texas of $32,000 represents just 41.61% of the starting nuclear medicine technologist pay ($76,900/year) in Killeen. 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 Killeen

  • 1Research the Killeen market: entry-level nuclear medicine technologist pay ranges from $76,900 to $86,170, 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 Killeen, 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 Killeen for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
  • 5Killeen'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 Killeen is $69,249 ( 90.05%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $76,900, experienced hygienists can earn up to $146,149.

Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.

2019 BLS Actual

$53,073

2025 BLS Actual

$73,266

2026 Current Est.

$76,900

2019–2027 Growth

+52.1%

Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Killeen (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for nuclear medicine technologists in Killeen. Baseline $53,073 in 2025, projected to $80,714 by 2027.$47.5K$57.2K$66.9K$76.6K$86.2K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$53.1K$54.3K$56.8K$60.7K$65.0K$67.3K$73.3K$76.9K$80.7K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$53,073Actual
2020$54,265Actual
2021$56,817Actual
2022$60,692Actual
2023$65,027Actual
2024$67,260Actual
2025$73,266Actual
2026(current)$76,900Estimated
2027$80,714Projected

Entry-level nuclear medicine technologist compensation (10th percentile) in Killeen, TX grew 38.0% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $53,073 in 2019 to $73,266 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $80,714. New graduates entering the Killeen job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Killeen metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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 Killeen

In Killeen, job opportunities for newly credentialed nuclear medicine technologists typically arise from local hospitals and specialized imaging centers. Hospital nuclear medicine departments often prefer candidates who have undergone paid PET/CT cross-training, ensuring they are well-equipped for modern imaging demands. Outpatient PET imaging chains frequently look for pre-credentialed PET technicians, while positions in theranostics centers usually require more experience first. To maximize starting nuclear medicine technologist pay TX, a solid educational background from a JRCNMT-accredited program is vital, and credentials such as NMTCB or ARRT(N) national certification can help. Continuing education pathways like radiation safety training and CT cross-training position new graduates favorably in the job market. The segments related to PET/CT and theranostics are expanding rapidly, often providing higher pay than traditional SPECT-only roles. Therefore, strategizing early career steps toward specialization in these areas can lead to realistic salary increases and fulfilling job prospects in Killeen.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the starting salary for nuclear medicine technologists in Killeen in 2026?

Entry-level nuclear medicine technologists in Killeen start at approximately $76,900/year (10th percentile), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 4.96% annual growth). This is the typical range for new graduates with less than 1 year of clinical experience. The starting hourly equivalent is approximately $36.97/hour for full-time work. Starting pay depends on the practice type (private vs. large organization), patient volume, location within the metro area, and whether the position includes benefits.

How fast do nuclear medicine technologist salaries grow in Killeen?

Most nuclear medicine technologists in Killeen progress from the entry-level salary of $76,900 to the area median of $104,323 within 3–5 years of clinical experience. Top earners with specializations and certifications reach $146,149 (90th percentile). The biggest salary jumps typically come in years 2–5 as clinical skills develop, and again when obtaining advanced certifications or expanded-function credentials. Salary growth after 10 years tends to plateau unless moving into management or education roles.

Is nuclear medicine school worth it in Killeen?

With a starting salary of $76,900/year in Killeen and typical program costs ranging from $20,000–$80,000 for the required degree, graduates can expect a strong return on investment. Most new nuclear medicine technologists recoup their tuition within 1–3 years of working full-time. The profession also offers excellent work-life balance, flexible scheduling, low unemployment rates, and growing demand driven by an aging population's care needs.

What do new nuclear medicine technologists make right out of school in Killeen?

New nuclear medicine graduates in Killeen typically start near the 10th percentile at $76,900/year, or approximately $36.97/hour. Starting pay varies based on the practice type, patient volume, geographic location within the metro area, and whether the compensation package includes benefits like health insurance and retirement contributions. Graduates with internships at high-production practices often secure higher starting offers.

How do I become a nuclear medicine technologist in Texas?

To become a licensed nuclear medicine technologist in Texas, you typically need an associate degree or bachelor's degree in nuclear medicine technology is required., then pass the required national and state licensing examinations. Most states, including Texas, also require a clinical licensing exam. After obtaining licensure, you must maintain it through continuing education credits. Some nuclear medicine technologists pursue advanced degrees for career advancement into education, research, or public health roles.

Related Pages

Nearby Cities in Texas

AC

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.

Clinically reviewed by David Martinez, BS, CNMTData verified by Fatima Nasir, MS, CNMT

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 Killeen. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.

Data Sources & Methodology

Salary data for Killeen is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

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

Last verified: