Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Ruston, LA: $92,390 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Ruston, LA earns a median $92,390/year (≈ $44.42/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Ruston's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.3), that paycheck buys what $102,315 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.8% below the Louisiana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $92,390 in 2026, nuclear medicine technologists in Ruston, Louisiana, earn competitive compensation relative to the local job market. The salary range spans from $75,750 at the 10th percentile to $116,029 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diversity of roles and responsibilities within this specialty. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data and adjusted for regional price differences, highlight the importance of advanced certifications. Technologists specializing in theranostics, particularly with expertise in high-demand radiopharmaceutical therapies, can command higher pay compared to those in more traditional roles. Such competitive salaries point to a burgeoning demand for skilled nuclear medicine professionals in Ruston as the field continues to evolve.
About the Ruston Market
Salary estimated from Louisiana average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $75,750 | $36.42 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $80,840 | $38.87 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $92,390 | $44.42 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $104,383 | $50.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $116,029 | $55.79 |
Median Salary Position
13.17% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ruston
In Ruston, LA, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $40,279 (2026 est.). At $92,390, the local median is 13.17% below the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Ruston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Ruston Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Ruston median: $92,390/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ruston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Average | $96,039 | -3.80% less |
| National Average | $106,398 | -13.17% less |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Ruston, LA earn a median of $92,390 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.17% lower than the national median of $106,398 and 3.80% below the Louisiana state average of $96,039.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Ruston 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.
Ruston, LA has a cost-of-living index of 90.3 (below the national average of 100). A nuclear medicine technologist earning $92,390 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $102,315 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.74% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$67,687
2025 BLS Actual
$88,024
2026 Current Est.
$92,390
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Ruston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $67,687 | Actual |
| 2020 | $69,111 | Actual |
| 2021 | $68,391 | Actual |
| 2022 | $74,070 | Actual |
| 2023 | $80,322 | Actual |
| 2024 | $71,204 | Actual |
| 2025 | $88,024 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $92,390 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $96,973 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ruston metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 30.0% from $67,687 (2019) to $88,024 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $96,973 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,286 (43.27%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ruston 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) | $75,750 – $80,840 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $80,840 – $92,390 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $92,390 – $104,383 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $104,383 – $116,029 |
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 Ruston
Despite the promising median salary, aspiring nuclear medicine technologists in Ruston must consider the local employment landscape, where only four professionals are currently employed in this field. The cost of living index in Ruston sits at 90.3, indicating a lower-than-average expense environment that can positively influence take-home purchasing power. Employers include major hospital nuclear medicine departments, outpatient PET/CT imaging centers, and specialized theranostics facilities, which tend to offer the highest salaries. The variation in pay can be influenced by credentials—PET/CT specialists often earn more than those focused solely on SPECT. Additionally, cross-training in CT and availability for on-call duties related to radiopharmaceuticals can enhance earning potential. For optimal salary outcomes, networking and pursuing certifications through organizations like SNMMI-TS and NMTCB could be beneficial for professionals in this growing field in Ruston, LA.
More salary data for Ruston, 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 $88,024 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Ruston 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 Ruston 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