Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Lincoln, NE: $109,494 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Lincoln, NE earns a median $109,494/year (≈ $52.64/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Lincoln's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.6), that paycheck buys what $119,560 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 12.5% above the Nebraska state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Lincoln, Nebraska, the compensation for nuclear medicine technologists is quite promising, with a median annual salary projected at $109,494 in 2026. This figure reflects a competitive landscape, especially when compared to the national median of $106,398, positioning local salaries above the national average by 2.91%. The salary range for nuclear medicine technologists in the area is extensive, spanning from $50,213 at the lower 10th percentile to $131,546 at the 90th percentile. Data from BLS OEWS surveys indicates that the credential split between PET/CT and SPECT-only technologists significantly influences this pay distribution, as expertise in the rapidly growing PET/CT segment commands higher salaries than SPECT-focused roles. The job market in Lincoln is developing, hinting at solid opportunities for professionals in this field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50,213 | $24.14 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $88,639 | $42.61 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $109,494 | $52.64 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $113,420 | $54.53 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $131,546 | $63.24 |
Median Salary Position
2.91% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lincoln
In Lincoln, NE, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $81,333 (2026 est.). At $109,494, the local median is 2.91% above the national median of $106,398.
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At 40 hours/week in Lincoln: You'd be above the median
How Lincoln Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Lincoln median: $109,494/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lincoln Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska Average | $97,328 | +12.50% more |
| National Average | $106,398 | +2.91% more |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Lincoln, NE earn a median of $109,494 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.91% higher than the national median of $106,398 and 12.50% above the Nebraska state average of $97,328.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lincoln has a cost of living 8.42% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lincoln, NE has a cost-of-living index of 91.581 (below the national average of 100). A nuclear medicine technologist earning $109,494 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $119,560 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.19% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$80,218
2025 BLS Actual
$104,320
2026 Current Est.
$109,494
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Lincoln (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $80,218 | Actual |
| 2020 | $81,906 | Actual |
| 2021 | $81,052 | Actual |
| 2022 | $87,782 | Actual |
| 2023 | $95,192 | Actual |
| 2024 | $81,884 | Actual |
| 2025 | $104,320 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $109,494 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $114,925 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lincoln metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 30.0% from $80,218 (2019) to $104,320 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $114,925 by 2027 — a total increase of $34,707 (43.27%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lincoln 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) | $50,213 – $88,639 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $88,639 – $109,494 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $109,494 – $113,420 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $113,420 – $131,546 |
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 Lincoln
Currently, Lincoln employs around 40 nuclear medicine technologists, indicating a stable local job market. The cost of living index in the city stands at 91.581, which is below the national average, thus enhancing the purchasing power of these salaries relative to everyday expenses. Among the employers in Lincoln, hospital nuclear medicine departments and outpatient PET/CT imaging centers tend to offer the highest salaries, particularly for those with experience in theranostics and cross-training in CT scanning. Factors such as on-call coverage, variations in credentialing between PET/CT and SPECT, and structural differences between hospital settings and outpatient facilities create a broad pay spectrum. To maximize earnings in this market, pursuing advanced certifications, staying updated on industry developments like theranostics, and seeking positions that offer a mix of PET/CT responsibilities can greatly enhance a technologist's compensation.
More salary data for Lincoln, NE:
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 $104,320 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Lincoln 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 2-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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