Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Plainfield, NJ: $117,753 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Plainfield, NJ earns a median $117,753/year (≈ $56.62/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Plainfield's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $102,216 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, nuclear medicine technologists in Plainfield, New Jersey, earn a median annual salary of $117,753, reflecting a 10.67% increase compared to the national median of $106,398. The salary spectrum in the region ranges from $87,481 at the 10th percentile to $161,314 at the 90th percentile. Factors such as credentialing differences—specifically between PET/CT certified professionals and those holding SPECT-only credentials—significantly influence this pay disparity. As the market evolves, specialists incorporating PET/CT capabilities into their skillset are likely to see enhanced compensation, particularly in a city where the demand for nuclear medicine is growing rapidly.
About the Plainfield Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($108,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $87,481 | $42.06 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $97,802 | $47.02 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $117,753 | $56.62 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $132,549 | $63.72 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $161,314 | $77.55 |
Median Salary Position
10.67% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Plainfield
In Plainfield, NJ, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $73,833 (2026 est.). At $117,753, the local median is 10.67% above the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Plainfield: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Plainfield Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Plainfield median: $117,753/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Plainfield Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $117,989 | -0.20% less |
| National Average | $106,398 | +10.67% more |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Plainfield, NJ earn a median of $117,753 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.67% higher than the national median of $106,398 and 0.20% below the New Jersey state average of $117,989.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Plainfield has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Plainfield, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $117,753 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $102,216 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$86,269
2025 BLS Actual
$112,188
2026 Current Est.
$117,753
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Plainfield (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $86,269 | Actual |
| 2020 | $88,084 | Actual |
| 2021 | $87,165 | Actual |
| 2022 | $94,403 | Actual |
| 2023 | $102,371 | Actual |
| 2024 | $124,182 | Actual |
| 2025 | $112,188 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $117,753 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $123,593 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Plainfield metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 30.0% from $86,269 (2019) to $112,188 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $123,593 by 2027 — a total increase of $37,324 (43.26%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Plainfield 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) | $87,481 – $97,802 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $97,802 – $117,753 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $117,753 – $132,549 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $132,549 – $161,314 |
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 Plainfield
Currently, ten nuclear medicine technologists are employed in Plainfield, positioning the city as a niche market for this profession. With a cost-of-living index of 115.2, earning potential is somewhat tempered by local living expenses. Hospitals and outpatient PET/CT imaging centers typically offer the highest salaries, fueled by the current emphasis on integrated imaging techniques. The variation between low and high pay can also be attributed to factors such as specific experience in theranostics centers, associated on-call requirements, and opportunities for cross-training in CT imaging. To optimize their earnings, technologists should focus on obtaining dual certifications in PET/CT, seeking experiences in therapeutics like Lutathera and Pluvicto, and engaging with employers willing to provide competitive on-call arrangements to monetize their skills effectively.
More salary data for Plainfield, NJ:
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 $112,188 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Plainfield 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 Plainfield 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