Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Metairie, LA: $100,339 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Metairie, LA earns a median $100,339/year (≈ $48.24/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Metairie's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.3), that paycheck buys what $111,117 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.4% above the Louisiana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, professionals working as nuclear medicine technologists in Metairie, LA can expect a median annual salary of $100,339, a figure that underscores the local compensation landscape's competitive nature when stacked against the national median of $106,398. The salary range is broad, with the lower 10th percentile earning approximately $72,666 and the upper 90th percentile reaching as high as $139,012, showcasing the varied opportunities available in both hospital settings and outpatient PET/CT centers. Local estimates provided by 2025 BLS data highlight these figures, adjusted for the regional cost of living, which can influence take-home pay and overall job satisfaction. The choice between employment in a hospital nuclear medicine department or an outpatient oncology center often drives these salary variations and shapes the job market dynamics in Metairie.
About the Metairie Market
Salary estimated from Louisiana average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $72,666 | $34.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $87,934 | $42.28 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $100,339 | $48.24 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $115,813 | $55.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $139,012 | $66.83 |
Median Salary Position
5.69% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Metairie
In Metairie, LA, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $66,346 (2026 est.). At $100,339, the local median is 5.69% below the national median of $106,398.
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At 40 hours/week in Metairie: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Metairie Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Metairie median: $100,339/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Metairie Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Average | $96,110 | +4.40% more |
| National Average | $106,398 | -5.69% less |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Metairie, LA earn a median of $100,339 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.69% lower than the national median of $106,398 and 4.40% above the Louisiana state average of $96,110.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Metairie has a cost of living 9.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Metairie, LA has a cost-of-living index of 90.3 (below the national average of 100). A nuclear medicine technologist earning $100,339 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $111,117 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.74% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$73,511
2025 BLS Actual
$95,597
2026 Current Est.
$100,339
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Metairie (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $73,511 | Actual |
| 2020 | $75,057 | Actual |
| 2021 | $74,275 | Actual |
| 2022 | $80,442 | Actual |
| 2023 | $87,232 | Actual |
| 2024 | $75,059 | Actual |
| 2025 | $95,597 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $100,339 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $105,315 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Metairie metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 30.0% from $73,511 (2019) to $95,597 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $105,315 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,804 (43.26%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Metairie 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) | $72,666 – $87,934 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $87,934 – $100,339 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $100,339 – $115,813 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $115,813 – $139,012 |
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 Metairie
The employment landscape for nuclear medicine technologists in Metairie shows an active market with around 23 professionals currently employed in this field. The local cost-of-living index, at 90.3, indicates that daily expenses are relatively lower than the national average, allowing for more disposable income despite the 5.69% decrease in pay compared to national figures. Among local employers, hospitals generally offer higher salaries than outpatient PET/CT imaging centers, especially for those with advanced certifications in theranostics or CT cross-training. The variation in nuclear medicine technologist pay in Metairie is influenced by specific role functions, such as the distinction between PET/CT and SPECT-only credentials and the inclusion of on-call duties. Aspiring technologists can enhance their earning potential by pursuing in-demand certifications and seeking positions in high-paying sectors like theranostics centers, cardiology practices, and advanced imaging facilities.
More salary data for Metairie, LA:
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 $95,597 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Metairie 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 Metairie 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