Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Honolulu, HI: $137,595 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Honolulu, HI earns a median $137,595/year (≈ $66.16/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Honolulu's price level (19% above national, BEA RPP 119.3), that paycheck buys what $115,335 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.4% above the Hawaii state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
A nuclear medicine technologist salary in Honolulu is projected to reach a median annual income of $137,595 in 2026, significantly surpassing the national average of $106,398. This premium compensation reflects the region’s demand for specialized skills, especially among technologists who are certified in PET/CT imaging versus those who solely perform SPECT procedures. With a salary range from $98,981 at the 10th percentile to $184,977 at the 90th percentile, it is clear that variations in certification and experience are key drivers of income. These figures are based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, which takes into account local economic conditions and the higher cost of living in Hawaii.
About the Honolulu Market
Salary estimated from Hawaii average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $98,981 | $47.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $112,366 | $54.02 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $137,595 | $66.16 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $162,676 | $78.21 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $184,977 | $88.93 |
Median Salary Position
29.32% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Honolulu
In Honolulu, HI, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $85,996 (2026 est.). At $137,595, the local median is 29.32% above the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Honolulu: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Honolulu Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Honolulu median: $137,595/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Honolulu Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii Average | $129,319 | +6.40% more |
| National Average | $106,398 | +29.32% more |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Honolulu, HI earn a median of $137,595 per year (2026 est.), which is 29.32% higher than the national median of $106,398 and 6.40% above the Hawaii state average of $129,319.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Honolulu has a cost of living 19.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Honolulu, HI has a cost-of-living index of 119.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $137,595 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $115,335 — a 16.18% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$100,806
2025 BLS Actual
$131,093
2026 Current Est.
$137,595
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Honolulu (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $100,806 | Actual |
| 2020 | $102,927 | Actual |
| 2021 | $101,853 | Actual |
| 2022 | $110,311 | Actual |
| 2023 | $119,622 | Actual |
| 2024 | $149,793 | Actual |
| 2025 | $131,093 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $137,595 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $144,420 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Honolulu metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 30.0% from $100,806 (2019) to $131,093 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $144,420 by 2027 — a total increase of $43,614 (43.27%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Honolulu 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) | $98,981 – $112,366 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $112,366 – $137,595 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $137,595 – $162,676 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $162,676 – $184,977 |
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 Honolulu
In Honolulu, 68 nuclear medicine technologists make up the local workforce, contributing to a vibrant job market where employers span hospitals and specialized outpatient imaging centers. The area's cost-of-living index, at 119.3 compared to the national average, underscores the importance of salary negotiation and strategic career decisions. The highest paying roles often lie within outpatient PET/CT imaging centers and theranostics facilities, where radiopharmaceutical therapies are growing rapidly. Factors such as credentialing in PET/CT, experience in theranostics, and the ability to handle on-call coverage directly impact compensation levels. To maximize earnings, professionals should consider obtaining cross-training in CT procedures and pursuing advanced certifications, which could ultimately lead to more lucrative positions within the Honolulu job market.
More salary data for Honolulu, HI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nuclear medicine technologists make in Honolulu, HI in 2026?
Is Honolulu, HI a good place to work as a nuclear medicine technologist?
Can nuclear medicine technologists make $100K in Honolulu?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted nuclear medicine technologist salary in Honolulu?
How much does a nuclear medicine technologist make per hour in Honolulu?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Hawaii
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 $131,093 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Honolulu 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 Honolulu 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