Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Fort Smith, AR: $93,582 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Fort Smith, AR earns a median $93,582/year (≈ $45.00/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Fort Smith's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.9), that paycheck buys what $107,689 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% above the Arkansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected nuclear medicine technologist salary in Fort Smith, Arkansas, stands at $93,582, providing a significant income relative to the local job market and cost of living. This salary range spans from $72,028 at the 10th percentile to $124,909 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the varying levels of expertise and responsibilities within the field. Such figures are derived from state-level estimates based on 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional price parities. Notably, specialization in theranostics—particularly in radiopharmaceuticals like Pluvicto and Lutathera—can enhance earning potential significantly, as these advanced therapies are becoming vital in modern treatment protocols.
About the Fort Smith Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($74,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $72,028 | $34.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $79,316 | $38.13 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $93,582 | $45.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $108,980 | $52.40 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $124,909 | $60.05 |
Median Salary Position
12.05% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fort Smith
In Fort Smith, AR, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $52,881 (2026 est.). At $93,582, the local median is 12.05% below the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fort Smith: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Fort Smith Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Fort Smith median: $93,582/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fort Smith Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $92,473 | +1.20% more |
| National Average | $106,398 | -12.05% less |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Fort Smith, AR earn a median of $93,582 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.05% lower than the national median of $106,398 and 1.20% above the Arkansas state average of $92,473.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fort Smith has a cost of living 13.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fort Smith, AR has a cost-of-living index of 86.9 (below the national average of 100). A nuclear medicine technologist earning $93,582 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $107,689 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$68,561
2025 BLS Actual
$89,160
2026 Current Est.
$93,582
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Fort Smith (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $68,561 | Actual |
| 2020 | $70,003 | Actual |
| 2021 | $69,273 | Actual |
| 2022 | $75,026 | Actual |
| 2023 | $81,358 | Actual |
| 2024 | $65,086 | Actual |
| 2025 | $89,160 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $93,582 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $98,224 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fort Smith metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 30.0% from $68,561 (2019) to $89,160 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $98,224 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,663 (43.27%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fort Smith 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $72,028 – $79,316 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $79,316 – $93,582 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $93,582 – $108,980 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $108,980 – $124,909 |
NMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nuclear medicine technologist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Job Market in Fort Smith
With only 15 nuclear medicine technologists currently employed in Fort Smith, job competition is relatively limited. The cost of living index at 86.9 indicates that residents enjoy a purchasing power that exceeds many other regions, making these salaries more favorable when considering local expenses. Among the employers, outpatient PET/CT imaging centers and theranostics facilities often offer more competitive compensation compared to traditional hospital settings. Factors contributing to the salary range include variations in experience with PET/CT versus SPECT technologies, and cross-training in CT, which elevates a technologist's value. For those looking to maximize nuclear medicine technologist pay in Fort Smith AR, focusing on developing skills in emerging theranostics therapies and seeking certification enhancement through SNMMI-TS and NMTCB pathways can provide a meaningful edge in this evolving market.
More salary data for Fort Smith, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nuclear medicine technologists make in Fort Smith, AR in 2026?
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Can nuclear medicine technologists make $100K in Fort Smith?
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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
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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $89,160 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Fort Smith metropolitan area. A 4.96% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Fort Smith 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