Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Princeton, NJ: $116,710 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Princeton, NJ earns a median $116,710/year (≈ $56.11/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Princeton's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $101,311 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.1% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Nuclear medicine technologists in Princeton, NJ, can expect a median annual salary of $116,710 in 2026, significantly above the national median of $106,398. Their salary range spans from $92,130 at the 10th percentile to $146,123 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diverse job structures in the area, including hospital and outpatient PET/CT imaging centers. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026 with adjustments for regional cost variations, thus illustrating the competitive compensation landscape. The choice between working in a hospital nuclear medicine department versus an outpatient center has implications for salary expectations, as each presents distinct operational demands and compensation models within the local market.
About the Princeton Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($108,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $92,130 | $44.29 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $100,085 | $48.11 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $116,710 | $56.11 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $131,178 | $63.07 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $146,123 | $70.25 |
Median Salary Position
9.69% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Princeton
In Princeton, NJ, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $53,993 (2026 est.). At $116,710, the local median is 9.69% above the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Princeton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Princeton Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Princeton median: $116,710/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Princeton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $118,008 | -1.10% less |
| National Average | $106,398 | +9.69% more |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Princeton, NJ earn a median of $116,710 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.69% higher than the national median of $106,398 and 1.10% below the New Jersey state average of $118,008.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Princeton has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Princeton, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $116,710 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $101,311 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$85,505
2025 BLS Actual
$111,195
2026 Current Est.
$116,710
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Princeton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $85,505 | Actual |
| 2020 | $87,304 | Actual |
| 2021 | $86,394 | Actual |
| 2022 | $93,567 | Actual |
| 2023 | $101,465 | Actual |
| 2024 | $123,083 | Actual |
| 2025 | $111,195 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $116,710 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $122,499 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Princeton metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 30.0% from $85,505 (2019) to $111,195 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $122,499 by 2027 — a total increase of $36,994 (43.27%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Princeton 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) | $92,130 – $100,085 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $100,085 – $116,710 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $116,710 – $131,178 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $131,178 – $146,123 |
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 Princeton
The local job market in Princeton currently supports a small but specialized workforce of six nuclear medicine technologists, highlighting a niche field that enjoys steady demand. Coupled with a cost-of-living index of 115.2, this suggests that while salaries are attractive, the practical purchasing power may be impacted by local expenses. Among potential employers, hospital departments often offer robust pay packages to attract trained professionals, particularly for roles that require expertise in both PET/CT and SPECT imaging, as well as theranostics therapies, which command a premium in salary structures. The disparity between lower and higher pay within this field can often be traced back to credential combinations, with those skilled in CT cross-training or on-call duties for radiopharmaceuticals generally earning more. To optimize earning potential, technologists in Princeton should consider enhancing their qualifications in best-in-demand specialties like theranostics or pursuing roles requiring advanced imaging skills, particularly as the area sees growth in these segments.
More salary data for Princeton, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can nuclear medicine technologists make $100K in Princeton?
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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 $111,195 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Princeton 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 Princeton 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