Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Meridian, MS: $86,442 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Meridian, MS earns a median $86,442/year (≈ $41.55/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Meridian's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.7), that paycheck buys what $100,866 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.2% below the Mississippi state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the median annual salary for nuclear medicine technologists in Meridian, MS, is projected to reach $86,442, reflecting a notable opportunity for professionals in this field, particularly those specializing in theranostics. The salary range spans from $69,205 at the 10th percentile to $109,474 at the 90th percentile, indicating potential for significant earnings based on expertise and experience. These figures have been derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local market factors, and showcase how the Meridian market aligns with industry demands. The encouragement of theranostics specialties, like those involving lutetium-177 therapies, offers an appealing incentive for technologists looking to increase their earning potential in the region's healthcare facilities.
About the Meridian Market
Salary estimated from Mississippi average ($70,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $69,205 | $33.27 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $74,911 | $36.01 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $86,442 | $41.55 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $97,852 | $47.04 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $109,474 | $52.63 |
Median Salary Position
18.76% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Meridian
In Meridian, MS, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $40,269 (2026 est.). At $86,442, the local median is 18.76% below the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Meridian: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Meridian Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Meridian median: $86,442/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Meridian Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi Average | $91,183 | -5.20% less |
| National Average | $106,398 | -18.76% less |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Meridian, MS earn a median of $86,442 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.76% lower than the national median of $106,398 and 5.20% below the Mississippi state average of $91,183.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Meridian has a cost of living 14.30% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Meridian, MS has a cost-of-living index of 85.7 (below the national average of 100). A nuclear medicine technologist earning $86,442 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $100,866 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.69% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$63,330
2025 BLS Actual
$82,357
2026 Current Est.
$86,442
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Meridian (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $63,330 | Actual |
| 2020 | $64,662 | Actual |
| 2021 | $63,988 | Actual |
| 2022 | $69,301 | Actual |
| 2023 | $75,151 | Actual |
| 2024 | $56,871 | Actual |
| 2025 | $82,357 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $86,442 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $90,729 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Meridian metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 30.0% from $63,330 (2019) to $82,357 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $90,729 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,399 (43.26%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Meridian 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) | $69,205 – $74,911 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $74,911 – $86,442 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $86,442 – $97,852 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $97,852 – $109,474 |
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 Meridian
Currently, Meridian employs seven nuclear medicine technologists, indicating a modest but solid job market for professionals in this role. The local cost of living index stands at 85.7, suggesting that wages offer better purchasing power compared to national averages. In this area, employers with the highest compensation are typically found within hospital nuclear medicine departments and outpatient PET/CT imaging centers. The disparity in compensation is influenced by the technician's skill set; those proficient in both PET/CT and SPECT technologies often attract superior pay, especially if they have experience at theranostics centers or can provide on-call coverage. For technologists keen on maximizing their pay in Meridian, cross-training to include CT capabilities, building a solid experience base in both clinical and outpatient settings, and obtaining certifications from reputable bodies like the NMTCB or SNMMI-TS are practical strategies that could significantly enhance their career financial trajectory.
More salary data for Meridian, MS:
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 $82,357 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Meridian 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 Meridian 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