Entry-Level Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Pleasant Grove, UT: $75,582 (2026)
Quick Answer:New nuclear medicine technologists entering the Pleasant Grove, UT job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $75,582 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2033, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Pleasant Grove's local price level (BEA RPP 98.1 — 2% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $77,046 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($92,981) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Graduates entering the nuclear medicine field in Pleasant Grove, Utah, can expect a starting nuclear medicine technologist salary of approximately $75,582 in 2026. This figure is below the city's median annual salary of $92,981, indicating a significant gap for early-career professionals. However, with experience and skill development, new technologists can anticipate quick financial progression, moving from the entry-level rate to around $79,283 within the first few years. Given the projected growth rate of 4.96% over the next several years, Pleasant Grove presents a promising market for fresh graduates eager to build a career in nuclear medicine.
About the Pleasant Grove Market
Salary estimated from Utah average ($90,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Pleasant Grove
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 Pleasant Grove
Entry-level nuclear medicine technologists in Pleasant Grove, UT typically start between $75,582 and $79,283 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $43,632 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $92,981 — 12.61% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average nuclear medicine program cost in Utah of $30,000 represents just 39.69% of the starting nuclear medicine technologist pay ($75,582/year) in Pleasant Grove. 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 Pleasant Grove
- 1Research the Pleasant Grove market: entry-level nuclear medicine technologist pay ranges from $75,582 to $79,283, 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 Pleasant Grove, 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 Pleasant Grove for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Pleasant Grove'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 Pleasant Grove is $43,632 ( 57.73%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $75,582, experienced hygienists can earn up to $119,214.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$52,163
2025 BLS Actual
$72,010
2026 Current Est.
$75,582
2019–2027 Growth
+52.1%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Pleasant Grove (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,163 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,334 | Actual |
| 2021 | $55,843 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,652 | Actual |
| 2023 | $63,913 | Actual |
| 2024 | $69,263 | Actual |
| 2025 | $72,010 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $75,582 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $79,331 | Projected |
Entry-level nuclear medicine technologist compensation (10th percentile) in Pleasant Grove, UT grew 38.0% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $52,163 in 2019 to $72,010 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $79,331. New graduates entering the Pleasant Grove job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pleasant Grove 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 Pleasant Grove
Several employers in Pleasant Grove are keen to hire new graduates, particularly hospital nuclear medicine departments that often provide opportunities for paid PET/CT cross-training. Outpatient PET imaging centers typically look for pre-credentialed PET techs, while theranostics centers may prefer candidates with 3-5 years of PET/CT experience. To enhance starting pay in Utah, pursuing credentials such as an Associate's or bachelor's degree from a JRCNMT-accredited program is beneficial. Additionally, national certifications from NMTCB or ARRT(N), state licensure, and CT cross-training can significantly boost a new technologist's prospects. Focusing on areas like PET/CT and theranostics, which include innovative therapies such as Pluvicto and Lutathera, can yield faster salary growth in the initial years. In this evolving field, entry-level salaries are likely to increase noticeably as new professionals gain experience, potentially aligning compensation more closely with the overall city median.
More salary data for Pleasant Grove, UT:
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 Pleasant Grove. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Pleasant Grove 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