Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Kearny, NJ: $114,129 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Kearny, NJ earns a median $114,129/year (≈ $54.87/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Kearny's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $99,070 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.3% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Kearny, NJ, nuclear medicine technologists can expect a median annual salary of $114,129 as of 2026, reflecting a competitive edge of 7.27% over the national median of $106,398. The salary range is substantial, with the lowest 10% earning approximately $95,137 and the highest 90% reaching around $148,897. These estimates, derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for local cost factors, highlight the potential earnings one can achieve in this role. The local job market benefits from several healthcare institutions, playing a key role in shaping these financial expectations, particularly as the demand for diagnostic imaging continues to grow in both hospital and outpatient settings.
About the Kearny Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($108,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $95,137 | $45.74 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $101,686 | $48.89 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $114,129 | $54.87 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $127,565 | $61.33 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $148,897 | $71.58 |
Median Salary Position
7.27% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kearny
In Kearny, NJ, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $53,760 (2026 est.). At $114,129, the local median is 7.27% above the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kearny: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Kearny Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Kearny median: $114,129/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kearny Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $118,024 | -3.30% less |
| National Average | $106,398 | +7.27% more |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Kearny, NJ earn a median of $114,129 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.27% higher than the national median of $106,398 and 3.30% below the New Jersey state average of $118,024.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kearny has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kearny, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $114,129 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $99,070 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$83,614
2025 BLS Actual
$108,736
2026 Current Est.
$114,129
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Kearny (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $83,614 | Actual |
| 2020 | $85,373 | Actual |
| 2021 | $84,483 | Actual |
| 2022 | $91,498 | Actual |
| 2023 | $99,221 | Actual |
| 2024 | $120,360 | Actual |
| 2025 | $108,736 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $114,129 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $119,790 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kearny metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 30.0% from $83,614 (2019) to $108,736 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $119,790 by 2027 — a total increase of $36,176 (43.27%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kearny 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) | $95,137 – $101,686 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $101,686 – $114,129 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $114,129 – $127,565 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $127,565 – $148,897 |
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 Kearny
With 11 nuclear medicine technologists currently employed in Kearny, the local job market demonstrates a modest yet stable presence. The cost of living index in the area is 115.2, which indicates higher living expenses compared to the national average and can impact take-home purchasing power for professionals. Facilities such as hospital nuclear medicine departments and outpatient PET/CT imaging centers are important employers, often offering competitive pay structures. Roles involving advanced imaging techniques such as PET/CT and therapies in theranostics command a premium in compensation; thus, technologists with a mix of these capacities tend to see a wider salary range. Those looking to increase their nuclear medicine technologist pay in Kearny, NJ, should focus on gaining experience with new technologies, pursuing cross-training in CT, and taking on on-call responsibilities to enhance their marketability and earning potential.
More salary data for Kearny, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nuclear medicine technologists make in Kearny, NJ in 2026?
Is Kearny, NJ a good place to work as a nuclear medicine technologist?
Can nuclear medicine technologists make $100K in Kearny?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted nuclear medicine technologist salary in Kearny?
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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 $108,736 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Kearny 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 Kearny 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