Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Louisiana: $96,073 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Louisiana's 20 metropolitan areas, the average median nuclear medicine technologist pay sits at $96,073/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2033. Because Louisiana sits at BEA RPP 90.3 (10% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $106,393 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Metairie ($95,597), Baton Rouge ($95,547), New Orleans ($95,250).
In Louisiana, the average median salary for nuclear medicine technologists in 2026 is projected to be $96,073, which is about 9.7% lower than the national median of $106,398. Geographically, Metairie offers the highest salary at $100,339, while Thibodaux has the lowest at $88,416, resulting in a salary gap of $11,923. This difference is influenced by the cost of living in each area, local demand for healthcare services, and the concentration of medical facilities. Louisiana's job market for nuclear medicine technologists is expected to see an annual growth rate of 4.96% driven by an increasing aging population and advancements in medical imaging techniques. State licensing requirements and scope of practice laws can also impact employment opportunities and salaries within the field. Other notable salaries by city include Baton Rouge at $100,286, New Orleans at $99,974, Lafayette at $98,617, and Shreveport at $96,701. The outlook for nuclear medicine technologists in Louisiana appears stable, supported by ongoing advancements in technology and a continuously growing healthcare sector.
Louisiana Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Louisiana: $70,861 (lowest entry-level) to $139,012 (highest top earner)
Louisiana vs National Average
Louisiana nuclear medicine technologists earn 9.7% less than the national median ($-10,325/year difference).
Louisiana Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary Distribution (2026)
Nuclear Medicine Technologist salaries in Louisiana range from $74,704 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $124,859 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $96,073. The Louisiana median is $10,325 below the US national median of $106,398. The average hourly rate is $46.19/hr. Approximately 251 nuclear medicine technologists are employed across 20 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$68,323
2025 BLS Actual
$91,533
2026 Current Est.
$96,073
2019–2027 Growth
+47.6%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Louisiana (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $68,323 | Actual |
| 2020 | $71,376 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,015 | Actual |
| 2022 | $82,144 | Actual |
| 2023 | $83,639 | Actual |
| 2024 | $75,619 | Actual |
| 2025 | $91,533 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $96,073 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $100,838 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Louisiana metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 34.0% from $68,323 (2019) to $91,533 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $100,838 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,515 (47.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Louisiana 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Louisiana
Lowest Paying Cities in Louisiana
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Thibodaux | $88,416 |
| Sulphur | $88,842 |
| Zachary | $89,356 |
| Natchitoches | $89,782 |
| Hammond | $90,280 |
Best Value Cities for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Louisiana
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Louisiana cities offer the most purchasing power for nuclear medicine technologists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metairie | $100,339 | 90.3 | $111,117 |
| Baton Rouge | $100,286 | 90.3 | $111,059 |
| Lafayette | $98,617 | 90.3 | $109,210 |
| New Orleans | $99,974 | 92.597 | $107,967 |
| Shreveport | $96,701 | 90.3 | $107,089 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Louisiana
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $74,704 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $96,073 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $124,859 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Louisiana metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 20 Cities in Louisiana
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Metairie | $100,339 |
| 2 | Baton Rouge | $100,286 |
| 3 | New Orleans | $99,974 |
| 4 | Lafayette | $98,617 |
| 5 | Shreveport | $96,701 |
| 6 | Lake Charles | $94,831 |
| 7 | Kenner | $94,131 |
| 8 | Bossier City | $93,606 |
| 9 | Slidell | $93,340 |
| 10 | Houma | $92,960 |
| 11 | Monroe | $92,647 |
| 12 | Ruston | $92,390 |
| 13 | Central | $92,297 |
| 14 | Alexandria | $91,835 |
| 15 | New Iberia | $91,014 |
| 16 | Hammond | $90,280 |
| 17 | Natchitoches | $89,782 |
| 18 | Zachary | $89,356 |
| 19 | Sulphur | $88,842 |
| 20 | Thibodaux | $88,416 |
More Louisiana Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore nuclear medicine technologist hourly pay in Louisiana cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new nuclear medicine technologists.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced nuclear medicine technologists.
Explore More Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nuclear medicine technologists make in Louisiana in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for nuclear medicine technologists in Louisiana?
How does Louisiana nuclear medicine technologist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level nuclear medicine technologist salary in Louisiana?
How many nuclear medicine technologists are employed in Louisiana?
Which Louisiana city offers the best value for nuclear medicine technologists?
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
Statewide 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. A 4.96% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 nuclear medicine technologist compensation across Louisiana. State averages are employment-weighted across 20 metro areas — larger metro areas with more nuclear medicine technologistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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