Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Natchitoches, LA: $89,782 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Natchitoches, LA earns a median $89,782/year (≈ $43.16/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Natchitoches's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.3), that paycheck buys what $99,426 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.6% below the Louisiana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median salary of $89,782 in 2026, the nuclear medicine technologist salary in Natchitoches, LA, reflects the city's specific market dynamics. The earnings range from $76,448 at the 10th percentile to $113,239 at the 90th percentile, showcasing a significant pay dispersion influenced by factors such as certification levels and specialization. Technologists with credentials in PET/CT generally command higher salaries compared to those practicing exclusively in SPECT. This trend is particularly relevant in Natchitoches, where job opportunities are closely tied to the demand for advanced imaging services, making it essential for technologists to consider their qualifications and the type of facilities they target for employment.
About the Natchitoches Market
Salary estimated from Louisiana average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $76,448 | $36.76 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $80,904 | $38.90 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $89,782 | $43.16 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $98,419 | $47.32 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $113,239 | $54.44 |
Median Salary Position
15.62% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Natchitoches
In Natchitoches, LA, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $36,791 (2026 est.). At $89,782, the local median is 15.62% below the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Natchitoches: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Natchitoches Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Natchitoches median: $89,782/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Natchitoches Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Average | $96,126 | -6.60% less |
| National Average | $106,398 | -15.62% less |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Natchitoches, LA earn a median of $89,782 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.62% lower than the national median of $106,398 and 6.60% below the Louisiana state average of $96,126.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Natchitoches 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.
Natchitoches, LA has a cost-of-living index of 90.3 (below the national average of 100). A nuclear medicine technologist earning $89,782 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $99,426 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.74% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$65,777
2025 BLS Actual
$85,539
2026 Current Est.
$89,782
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Natchitoches (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $65,777 | Actual |
| 2020 | $67,160 | Actual |
| 2021 | $66,460 | Actual |
| 2022 | $71,979 | Actual |
| 2023 | $78,054 | Actual |
| 2024 | $69,194 | Actual |
| 2025 | $85,539 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $89,782 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $94,235 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Natchitoches metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 30.0% from $65,777 (2019) to $85,539 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $94,235 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,458 (43.26%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Natchitoches 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) | $76,448 – $80,904 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $80,904 – $89,782 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $89,782 – $98,419 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $98,419 – $113,239 |
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 Natchitoches
The local job market for nuclear medicine technologists is relatively small, with around six professionals currently employed in the area. Despite this limited size, the cost of living index at 90.3 suggests that salaries provide decent purchasing power compared to national standards. Those looking to maximize nuclear medicine technologist pay in Natchitoches LA should consider positioning themselves in high-paying environments, such as outpatient PET/CT imaging centers and specialized cardiology practices. Experience with theranostics, particularly in radiopharmaceutical therapies like Pluvicto and Lutathera, can also yield a pay premium. The wage disparity between lower and higher-paying positions can often be attributed to the types of credentials held, experience in PET/CT versus SPECT, and the level of on-call responsibilities, highlighting the need for proactive career development in this evolving field.
More salary data for Natchitoches, LA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can nuclear medicine technologists make $100K in Natchitoches?
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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 $85,539 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Natchitoches 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 Natchitoches 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