Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in East Lansing, MI: $95,376 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in East Lansing, MI earns a median $95,376/year (≈ $45.86/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in East Lansing's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.2), that paycheck buys what $102,335 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.8% below the Michigan state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

The projected median annual salary for nuclear medicine technologists in East Lansing, MI, stands at $95,376 in 2026, which is notably below the national average of $106,398, reflecting a variance influenced by local market conditions. The salary range spans from $78,699 at the 10th percentile to $127,036 at the 90th percentile, indicating that while many technicians earn in the mid-level range, opportunities exist for higher earnings, especially for those specializing in theranostics. These estimates, based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost factors, demonstrate the balancing act between job availability and compensation in East Lansing's medical landscape, particularly as demand shifts towards advanced radiopharmaceutical therapies.
About the East Lansing Market
Salary estimated from Michigan average ($90,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,699 | $37.84 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $84,309 | $40.54 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $95,376 | $45.86 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $105,918 | $50.93 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $127,036 | $61.08 |
Median Salary Position
10.36% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in East Lansing
In East Lansing, MI, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $48,337 (2026 est.). At $95,376, the local median is 10.36% below the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in East Lansing: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How East Lansing Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
East Lansing median: $95,376/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | East Lansing Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $99,144 | -3.80% less |
| National Average | $106,398 | -10.36% less |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in East Lansing, MI earn a median of $95,376 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.36% lower than the national median of $106,398 and 3.80% below the Michigan state average of $99,144.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
East Lansing has a cost of living 6.80% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
East Lansing, MI has a cost-of-living index of 93.2 (below the national average of 100). A nuclear medicine technologist earning $95,376 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $102,335 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.3% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$69,875
2025 BLS Actual
$90,869
2026 Current Est.
$95,376
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in East Lansing (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $69,875 | Actual |
| 2020 | $71,345 | Actual |
| 2021 | $70,601 | Actual |
| 2022 | $76,464 | Actual |
| 2023 | $82,918 | Actual |
| 2024 | $80,677 | Actual |
| 2025 | $90,869 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $95,376 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $100,107 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the East Lansing metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 30.0% from $69,875 (2019) to $90,869 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $100,107 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,232 (43.27%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the East Lansing 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) | $78,699 – $84,309 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $84,309 – $95,376 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $95,376 – $105,918 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $105,918 – $127,036 |
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 East Lansing
In terms of job market conditions, East Lansing employs eight nuclear medicine technologists, highlighting a concentrated yet competitive environment. With a cost-of-living index of 93.2, local professionals enjoy a favorable purchasing power that may mitigate the lower salary outlook when compared to national figures. Employers such as larger hospital nuclear medicine departments, outpatient imaging centers, and specialized theranostics facilities frequently offer more competitive pay structures. The disparity in compensation can often be attributed to the complexities of job functions, such as the credential mix between PET/CT and SPECT-only roles and the varying demands of on-call coverage or cross-training in CT. To maximize earning potential in this market, technologists may consider pursuing further certifications or aligning their skills with in-demand technologies such as lutetium-177 therapies, driving upward mobility in the evolving field of nuclear medicine.
More salary data for East Lansing, MI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nuclear medicine technologists make in East Lansing, MI in 2026?
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Can nuclear medicine technologists make $100K in East Lansing?
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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 $90,869 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the East Lansing 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 East Lansing 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