Entry-Level Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Payson, UT: $71,275 (2026)
Quick Answer:New nuclear medicine technologists entering the Payson, UT job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $71,275 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2033, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Payson's local price level (BEA RPP 98.1 — 2% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $72,655 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($91,475) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For those entering the workforce as nuclear medicine technologists in Payson, UT, the starting salary presents a realistic expectation of around $71,275. This entry-level figure is notably lower than the city’s median annual salary of $91,475. New graduates can anticipate a progressive growth trajectory, typically leveraging their skills and experience to reach the P25 salary of $82,992 within the first few years of employment. This landscape suggests that Payson offers a decent market for newcomers, especially with a projected 4.96% annual growth rate that can lead to significant salary improvements over time, allowing for advancement opportunities as practitioners gain experience and possibly additional credentials.
About the Payson Market
Salary estimated from Utah average ($90,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Payson
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 Payson
Entry-level nuclear medicine technologists in Payson, UT typically start between $71,275 and $82,992 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $39,491 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $91,475 — 14.03% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average nuclear medicine program cost in Utah of $30,000 represents just 42.09% of the starting nuclear medicine technologist pay ($71,275/year) in Payson. 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 Payson
- 1Research the Payson market: entry-level nuclear medicine technologist pay ranges from $71,275 to $82,992, 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 UT often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Payson, 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 Payson for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Payson'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 Payson is $39,491 ( 55.41%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $71,275, experienced hygienists can earn up to $110,766.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$49,191
2025 BLS Actual
$67,907
2026 Current Est.
$71,275
2019–2027 Growth
+52.1%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Payson (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49,191 | Actual |
| 2020 | $50,295 | Actual |
| 2021 | $52,661 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,253 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,271 | Actual |
| 2024 | $65,370 | Actual |
| 2025 | $67,907 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $71,275 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $74,810 | Projected |
Entry-level nuclear medicine technologist compensation (10th percentile) in Payson, UT grew 38.0% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $49,191 in 2019 to $67,907 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $74,810. New graduates entering the Payson job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Payson 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 Payson
New graduates looking to start their careers in Payson will find that local hospitals and outpatient imaging centers are among the primary employers in this field. Many facilities have structured programs for paid cross-training in PET/CT, which can significantly boost the starting nuclear medicine technologist salary in Payson. To enhance their job prospects and salary potential, it’s advisable for new technologists to obtain national certification through the NMTCB or ARRT(N) and pursue CT cross-training options, as these credentials will elevate their standing in a competitive job market. With theranostics and PET/CT being the fastest-growing segments in the nuclear medicine field, focusing on these areas can lead to lucrative career options. Realistically, new graduates can expect to see their pay rise throughout the first 1-3 years, especially if they capitalize on opportunities for training and specialization in high-demand areas.
More salary data for Payson, UT:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for nuclear medicine technologists in Payson in 2026?
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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 Payson. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Payson 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