Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Carlsbad, NM: $95,232 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Carlsbad, NM earns a median $95,232/year (≈ $45.78/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Carlsbad's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 94.4), that paycheck buys what $100,881 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.2% below the New Mexico state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Carlsbad, NM, nuclear medicine technologists can expect a median annual salary of $95,232 in 2026, which represents a notable difference compared to the national median of $106,398. Salaries for technologists in this region range from $75,967 at the 10th percentile to $120,873 at the 90th percentile. These figures reflect local estimates drawn from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost of living. The nuclear medicine job market in Carlsbad primarily stems from the structural choice between hospital settings and outpatient PET/CT centers, significantly influencing salary levels and job availability.
About the Carlsbad Market
Salary estimated from New Mexico average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $75,967 | $36.53 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $82,548 | $39.69 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $95,232 | $45.78 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $107,749 | $51.80 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $120,873 | $58.12 |
Median Salary Position
10.49% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Carlsbad
In Carlsbad, NM, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $44,906 (2026 est.). At $95,232, the local median is 10.49% below the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Carlsbad: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Carlsbad Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Carlsbad median: $95,232/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Carlsbad Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico Average | $100,456 | -5.20% less |
| National Average | $106,398 | -10.49% less |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Carlsbad, NM earn a median of $95,232 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.49% lower than the national median of $106,398 and 5.20% below the New Mexico state average of $100,456.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Carlsbad has a cost of living 5.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Carlsbad, NM has a cost-of-living index of 94.4 (below the national average of 100). A nuclear medicine technologist earning $95,232 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $100,881 in an average-cost city — an effective 5.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$69,770
2025 BLS Actual
$90,732
2026 Current Est.
$95,232
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Carlsbad (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $69,770 | Actual |
| 2020 | $71,238 | Actual |
| 2021 | $70,495 | Actual |
| 2022 | $76,348 | Actual |
| 2023 | $82,793 | Actual |
| 2024 | $73,395 | Actual |
| 2025 | $90,732 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $95,232 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $99,956 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Carlsbad metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 30.0% from $69,770 (2019) to $90,732 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $99,956 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,186 (43.27%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Carlsbad 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) | $75,967 – $82,548 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $82,548 – $95,232 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $95,232 – $107,749 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $107,749 – $120,873 |
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 Carlsbad
With only seven nuclear medicine technologists currently employed in Carlsbad, the local job market exhibits tight competition. The cost-of-living index for the area is 94.4, suggesting that housing and basic expenses are lower than average, which enhances take-home purchasing power. Employers that tend to offer higher salaries include hospital nuclear medicine departments and specialized outpatient PET/CT imaging centers, with cardiology practices and theranostics centers also providing competitive pay, particularly for those experienced in lutetium-177 therapies. The notable salary variance is primarily driven by differences in credentialing, with those certified in both PET/CT and SPECT typically earning more than those focused solely on SPECT. Technologists looking to maximize their pay should consider diversifying their skill set with cross-training opportunities and certification in advanced modalities, especially as the demand for PET/CT and theranostics continues to grow in the region.
More salary data for Carlsbad, NM:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can nuclear medicine technologists make $100K in Carlsbad?
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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 $90,732 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Carlsbad 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 Carlsbad 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