Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Joplin, MO: $92,428 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Joplin, MO earns a median $92,428/year (≈ $44.44/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Joplin's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 89.6), that paycheck buys what $103,156 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.0% below the Missouri state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Nuclear medicine technologists in Joplin, Missouri, can expect a median annual salary of $92,428 in 2026. This figure reflects a competitive market where salaries range from $71,789 at the 10th percentile to $124,654 at the 90th percentile. The local estimates are based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, and adjusted for regional cost considerations. A significant factor influencing pay in Joplin is the differing credential mix in the workforce. Those with PET/CT certifications typically command higher salaries compared to SPECT-only technologists, impacting overall market dynamics and attracting employers looking to fill specialized roles.
About the Joplin Market
Salary estimated from Missouri average ($86,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $71,789 | $34.51 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $79,110 | $38.04 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $92,428 | $44.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $108,408 | $52.12 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $124,654 | $59.93 |
Median Salary Position
13.13% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Joplin
In Joplin, MO, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $52,865 (2026 est.). At $92,428, the local median is 13.13% below the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Joplin: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Joplin Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Joplin median: $92,428/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Joplin Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Average | $95,286 | -3.00% less |
| National Average | $106,398 | -13.13% less |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Joplin, MO earn a median of $92,428 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.13% lower than the national median of $106,398 and 3.00% below the Missouri state average of $95,286.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Joplin has a cost of living 10.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Joplin, MO has a cost-of-living index of 89.6 (below the national average of 100). A nuclear medicine technologist earning $92,428 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $103,156 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.61% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$80,080
2025 BLS Actual
$88,060
2026 Current Est.
$92,428
2019–2027 Growth
+21.1%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Joplin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $80,080 | Actual |
| 2020 | $69,140 | Actual |
| 2021 | $68,419 | Actual |
| 2022 | $74,100 | Actual |
| 2023 | $80,355 | Actual |
| 2024 | $74,708 | Actual |
| 2025 | $88,060 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $92,428 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $97,012 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Joplin metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 10.0% from $80,080 (2019) to $88,060 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $97,012 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,932 (21.14%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Joplin 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) | $71,789 – $79,110 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $79,110 – $92,428 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $92,428 – $108,408 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $108,408 – $124,654 |
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 Joplin
The job market for nuclear medicine technologists in Joplin shows promise, with eight professionals actively working in the area. Notably, the region has a cost-of-living index of 89.6, suggesting that salaries may stretch further compared to national averages. Employers in Joplin often pay more for nuclear medicine technologists with experience in PET/CT imaging centers, outpatient facilities, and establishments offering theranostics therapies. This variance in pay is also influenced by factors such as on-call coverage requirements, the demand for CT cross-training, and the structural divide between hospital departments and outpatient centers. Technologists aiming to maximize their earning potential should consider seeking certifications that enhance their value, such as those related to cutting-edge therapies or versatile imaging techniques, ultimately improving their standing in this evolving market.
More salary data for Joplin, MO:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nuclear medicine technologists make in Joplin, MO in 2026?
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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 $88,060 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Joplin 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 Joplin 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