Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Gardner, KS: $89,687 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Gardner, KS earns a median $89,687/year (≈ $43.12/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Gardner's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.9), that paycheck buys what $98,666 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.3% below the Kansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $89,687 in 2026, nuclear medicine technologist pay in Gardner, KS, reflects the dynamics of credentials in the local job market. The salary range spans from $75,597 at the lower end (P10) to $114,914 at the upper tier (P90), demonstrating a notable disparity linked to the type of nuclear medicine qualifications technologists possess. Specifically, those with PET/CT certification can expect to command higher pay compared to their SPECT-only counterparts. These figures derive from state-level estimates based on 2025 BLS data, with adjustments for regional costs, highlighting Gardner's competitive yet nuanced market environment, where specialization can significantly influence earning potential.
About the Gardner Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $75,597 | $36.35 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $79,975 | $38.45 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $89,687 | $43.12 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $102,740 | $49.39 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $114,914 | $55.25 |
Median Salary Position
15.71% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Gardner
In Gardner, KS, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $39,317 (2026 est.). At $89,687, the local median is 15.71% below the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Gardner: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Gardner Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Gardner median: $89,687/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Gardner Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Average | $96,750 | -7.30% less |
| National Average | $106,398 | -15.71% less |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Gardner, KS earn a median of $89,687 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.71% lower than the national median of $106,398 and 7.30% below the Kansas state average of $96,750.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Gardner has a cost of living 9.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Gardner, KS has a cost-of-living index of 90.9 (below the national average of 100). A nuclear medicine technologist earning $89,687 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $98,666 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.01% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$65,707
2025 BLS Actual
$85,449
2026 Current Est.
$89,687
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Gardner (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $65,707 | Actual |
| 2020 | $67,090 | Actual |
| 2021 | $66,390 | Actual |
| 2022 | $71,903 | Actual |
| 2023 | $77,972 | Actual |
| 2024 | $69,121 | Actual |
| 2025 | $85,449 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $89,687 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $94,136 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Gardner metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 30.0% from $65,707 (2019) to $85,449 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $94,136 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,429 (43.27%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Gardner 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) | $75,597 – $79,975 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $79,975 – $89,687 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $89,687 – $102,740 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $102,740 – $114,914 |
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 Gardner
The local job market in Gardner includes just six employed nuclear medicine technologists, reflecting a tight labor landscape that can impact opportunities for both advancement and compensation. With a cost-of-living index at 90.9, salaries stretch a bit further, yet the affordability remains a factor for prospective technologists. Employers in the area, including hospital nuclear medicine departments and outpatient PET/CT imaging centers, typically offer the most competitive salaries. Factors such as experience in theranostics, particularly with LUTATHERA and similar therapies, substantially drive pay variations. Additionally, those willing to take on on-call rotations or engage in cross-training with CT imaging may find themselves better positioned for higher wages. For individuals entering this field, focusing on acquiring PET/CT credentials and actively seeking roles that incorporate advanced therapies will likely yield the best return on investment in Gardner's evolving healthcare landscape.
More salary data for Gardner, KS:
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 $85,449 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Gardner 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 Gardner 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