Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in New Mexico: $99,923 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across New Mexico's 17 metropolitan areas, the average median nuclear medicine technologist pay sits at $99,923/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2033. Because New Mexico sits at BEA RPP 94.4 (6% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $105,851 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Las Cruces ($98,865), Rio Rancho ($98,494), Albuquerque ($98,400).
Nuclear medicine technologists in New Mexico are projected to earn an average median salary of $99,923 in 2026, which is approximately 6.1% lower than the national median of $106,398. The highest paying city is Las Cruces, with a salary of $103,769, while Taos has the lowest at $92,400, creating a salary gap of $11,369. This difference can be attributed to local demand for healthcare services, cost of living variations, and available healthcare facilities. Licensing requirements in New Mexico require technologists to be certified through organizations like the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). The scope of practice laws in the state allow for a range of responsibilities that can enhance job prospects. The healthcare sector in New Mexico is experiencing growth, with a projected annual growth rate of 4.96% for nuclear medicine technologists, driven by an aging population and advancements in medical technology. Cities with strong projected salaries include Rio Rancho at $103,379, Albuquerque at $103,281, Santa Fe at $101,411, and Farmington at $98,989. Overall, the job market for nuclear medicine technologists in New Mexico shows promise as the demand for skilled professionals continues to rise.
New Mexico Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary Range
Overall salary range in New Mexico: $73,328 (lowest entry-level) to $140,052 (highest top earner)
New Mexico vs National Average
New Mexico nuclear medicine technologists earn 6.09% less than the national median ($-6,475/year difference).
New Mexico Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary Distribution (2026)
Nuclear Medicine Technologist salaries in New Mexico range from $77,339 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $129,447 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $99,923. The New Mexico median is $6,475 below the US national median of $106,398. The average hourly rate is $48.04/hr. Approximately 188 nuclear medicine technologists are employed across 17 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$74,740
2025 BLS Actual
$95,201
2026 Current Est.
$99,923
2019–2027 Growth
+40.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in New Mexico (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $74,740 | Actual |
| 2020 | $75,400 | Actual |
| 2021 | $78,930 | Actual |
| 2022 | $83,010 | Actual |
| 2023 | $86,871 | Actual |
| 2024 | $79,699 | Actual |
| 2025 | $95,201 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $99,923 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $104,880 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the New Mexico metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 27.4% from $74,740 (2019) to $95,201 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $104,880 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,140 (40.33%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the New Mexico 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in New Mexico
Lowest Paying Cities in New Mexico
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Taos | $92,400 |
| Los Alamos | $92,574 |
| Los Lunas | $93,351 |
| Las Vegas | $93,367 |
| Gallup | $93,382 |
Best Value Cities for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in New Mexico
When adjusted for local cost of living, these New Mexico cities offer the most purchasing power for nuclear medicine technologists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Las Cruces | $103,769 | 94.4 | $109,925 |
| Rio Rancho | $103,379 | 94.4 | $109,512 |
| Albuquerque | $103,281 | 95.546 | $108,096 |
| Santa Fe | $101,411 | 94.4 | $107,427 |
| Farmington | $98,989 | 94.4 | $104,861 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in New Mexico
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $77,339 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $99,923 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $129,447 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across New Mexico metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 17 Cities in New Mexico
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Las Cruces | $103,769 |
| 2 | Rio Rancho | $103,379 |
| 3 | Albuquerque | $103,281 |
| 4 | Santa Fe | $101,411 |
| 5 | Farmington | $98,989 |
| 6 | Roswell | $98,529 |
| 7 | Alamogordo | $97,719 |
| 8 | Hobbs | $97,664 |
| 9 | South Valley | $97,266 |
| 10 | Clovis | $95,380 |
| 11 | Carlsbad | $95,232 |
| 12 | Deming | $93,715 |
| 13 | Gallup | $93,382 |
| 14 | Las Vegas | $93,367 |
| 15 | Los Lunas | $93,351 |
| 16 | Los Alamos | $92,574 |
| 17 | Taos | $92,400 |
More New Mexico Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore nuclear medicine technologist hourly pay in New Mexico cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new nuclear medicine technologists.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced nuclear medicine technologists.
Explore More Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nuclear medicine technologists make in New Mexico in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for nuclear medicine technologists in New Mexico?
How does New Mexico nuclear medicine technologist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level nuclear medicine technologist salary in New Mexico?
How many nuclear medicine technologists are employed in New Mexico?
Which New Mexico city offers the best value for nuclear medicine technologists?
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
Statewide 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. A 4.96% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 nuclear medicine technologist compensation across New Mexico. State averages are employment-weighted across 17 metro areas — larger metro areas with more nuclear medicine technologistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-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