Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Searcy, AR: $88,029 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Searcy, AR earns a median $88,029/year (≈ $42.32/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Searcy's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.9), that paycheck buys what $101,299 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.8% below the Arkansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Searcy, Arkansas, the projected median annual salary for nuclear medicine technologists is $88,029 for 2026. Salary ranges vary significantly depending on credentialing and the type of imaging facilities, with figures spanning from $70,652 at the lower end of the spectrum (P10) to $105,852 at the higher end (P90). The income potential is influenced notably by specific certifications like PET/CT versus SPECT-only, as those with PET/CT credentials typically command higher pay. These estimates, based on 2025 BLS data, reflect local economic conditions and are adjusted for the region's cost of living, which is lower than the national average. This creates a unique job market landscape in Searcy, where employers increasingly favor advanced imaging competencies and a blend of nuclear medicine techniques.
About the Searcy Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($74,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $70,652 | $33.97 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $75,917 | $36.49 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $88,029 | $42.32 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $96,547 | $46.41 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $105,852 | $50.90 |
Median Salary Position
17.26% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Searcy
In Searcy, AR, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $35,200 (2026 est.). At $88,029, the local median is 17.26% below the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Searcy: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Searcy Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Searcy median: $88,029/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Searcy Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $92,467 | -4.80% less |
| National Average | $106,398 | -17.26% less |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Searcy, AR earn a median of $88,029 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.26% lower than the national median of $106,398 and 4.80% below the Arkansas state average of $92,467.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Searcy 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.
Searcy, AR has a cost-of-living index of 86.9 (below the national average of 100). A nuclear medicine technologist earning $88,029 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $101,299 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$64,492
2025 BLS Actual
$83,869
2026 Current Est.
$88,029
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Searcy (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,492 | Actual |
| 2020 | $65,849 | Actual |
| 2021 | $65,162 | Actual |
| 2022 | $70,573 | Actual |
| 2023 | $76,530 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,224 | Actual |
| 2025 | $83,869 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $88,029 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $92,395 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Searcy metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 30.0% from $64,492 (2019) to $83,869 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $92,395 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,903 (43.27%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Searcy 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) | $70,652 – $75,917 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $75,917 – $88,029 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $88,029 – $96,547 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $96,547 – $105,852 |
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 Searcy
The local job market for nuclear medicine technologists in Searcy is shaped by a modest workforce, currently employing just five professionals in the field. With a cost-of-living index of 86.9, Searcy offers a more affordable lifestyle, which enhances the purchasing power of local salaries. Among employers, hospital nuclear medicine departments and outpatient PET/CT imaging centers tend to offer the best compensation, reflecting a premium for those with specialized skills in theranostics and cross-training. The disparity in earnings is often driven by the need for advanced techniques and responsive on-call duties that service radiopharmaceutical timing for cancer therapies. For those looking to maximize their nuclear medicine technologist pay in Searcy, pursuing continuous education and certifications in PET/CT and theranostics, along with gaining experience in mobile imaging environments, will be key strategies for advancing their careers in this evolving field.
More salary data for Searcy, AR:
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
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 $83,869 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Searcy 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 Searcy 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