Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Cambridge, MA: $126,479 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Cambridge, MA earns a median $126,479/year (≈ $60.80/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Cambridge's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $116,571 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 9.6% above the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, nuclear medicine technologists in Cambridge, Massachusetts can expect to earn a median annual salary of $126,479, significantly higher than the national median of $106,398. The salary range for this occupation varies widely, with the lowest earners at $92,565 and the top earners making up to $168,457. This disparity is influenced by factors such as PET/CT versus SPECT-only credentials, with those certified in PET/CT generally commanding higher pay due to the increasing demand for advanced imaging services in both outpatient and therapeutic settings. Additionally, salaries reflect adjustments made for the local cost of living, based on estimates drawn from state-level data and regional price parities, indicating a robust market for skilled professionals in Cambridge’s healthcare scene.
About the Cambridge Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($116,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $92,565 | $44.50 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $103,966 | $49.98 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $126,479 | $60.80 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $146,536 | $70.45 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $168,457 | $80.99 |
Median Salary Position
18.87% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cambridge
In Cambridge, MA, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $75,892 (2026 est.). At $126,479, the local median is 18.87% above the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cambridge: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cambridge Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Cambridge median: $126,479/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cambridge Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $115,400 | +9.60% more |
| National Average | $106,398 | +18.87% more |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Cambridge, MA earn a median of $126,479 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.87% higher than the national median of $106,398 and 9.60% above the Massachusetts state average of $115,400.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cambridge has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cambridge, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $126,479 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $116,571 — a 7.83% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$92,662
2025 BLS Actual
$120,502
2026 Current Est.
$126,479
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Cambridge (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $92,662 | Actual |
| 2020 | $94,611 | Actual |
| 2021 | $93,625 | Actual |
| 2022 | $101,399 | Actual |
| 2023 | $109,958 | Actual |
| 2024 | $124,083 | Actual |
| 2025 | $120,502 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $126,479 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $132,752 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cambridge metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 30.0% from $92,662 (2019) to $120,502 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $132,752 by 2027 — a total increase of $40,090 (43.26%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cambridge 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) | $92,565 – $103,966 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $103,966 – $126,479 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $126,479 – $146,536 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $146,536 – $168,457 |
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 Cambridge
The job market for nuclear medicine technologists in Cambridge shows promising stability, with 22 professionals currently employed in the area. However, with a cost-of-living index of 108.5, take-home pay may not stretch as far as one might hope, necessitating a careful evaluation of job offers. Among the highest-paying employers are hospital nuclear medicine departments, outpatient PET/CT imaging centers, and cardiology practices specializing in nuclear cardiology. The pay gap between the lower and higher end of the salary spectrum is largely attributed to credential diversification—those with experience in theranostics, such as Lutathera therapies, often receive a premium. Candidates looking to maximize their earnings in Cambridge should consider pursuing cross-training in CT, seek roles at PET-focused facilities, and remain available for on-call coverage, which tends to enhance compensation further.
More salary data for Cambridge, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 $120,502 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Cambridge 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 Cambridge 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