Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Las Cruces, NM: $103,769 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Las Cruces, NM earns a median $103,769/year (≈ $49.89/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Las Cruces's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 94.4), that paycheck buys what $109,925 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.3% above the New Mexico state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a median annual salary of $103,769, the nuclear medicine technologist salary in Las Cruces stands slightly below the national average of $106,398 for 2026. The pay scale ranges from $78,393 at the 10th percentile to $137,532 at the 90th percentile, showcasing the disparities within this field, driven largely by the distinction between PET/CT credentials and SPECT-only roles. This region's compensation figures are based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted to reflect local cost-of-living conditions. Given the significant growth potential in the PET/CT and theranostics sectors, salaries are expected to reflect the high demand for these advanced imaging techniques and therapies.
About the Las Cruces Market
Salary estimated from New Mexico average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,393 | $37.69 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $84,904 | $40.82 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $103,769 | $49.89 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $119,821 | $57.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $137,532 | $66.12 |
Median Salary Position
2.47% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Las Cruces
In Las Cruces, NM, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $59,139 (2026 est.). At $103,769, the local median is 2.47% below the national median of $106,398.
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At 40 hours/week in Las Cruces: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Las Cruces Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Las Cruces median: $103,769/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Las Cruces Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico Average | $100,454 | +3.30% more |
| National Average | $106,398 | -2.47% less |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Las Cruces, NM earn a median of $103,769 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.47% lower than the national median of $106,398 and 3.30% above the New Mexico state average of $100,454.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Las Cruces 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.
Las Cruces, NM has a cost-of-living index of 94.4 (below the national average of 100). A nuclear medicine technologist earning $103,769 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $109,925 in an average-cost city — an effective 5.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$76,024
2025 BLS Actual
$98,865
2026 Current Est.
$103,769
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Las Cruces (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $76,024 | Actual |
| 2020 | $77,623 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,814 | Actual |
| 2022 | $83,192 | Actual |
| 2023 | $90,214 | Actual |
| 2024 | $79,974 | Actual |
| 2025 | $98,865 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $103,769 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $108,916 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Las Cruces metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 30.0% from $76,024 (2019) to $98,865 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $108,916 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,892 (43.27%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Las Cruces 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) | $78,393 – $84,904 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $84,904 – $103,769 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $103,769 – $119,821 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $119,821 – $137,532 |
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 Las Cruces
In 2026, Las Cruces is projected to employ 28 nuclear medicine technologists, reflecting a steady local job market. With a cost of living index of 94.4, the purchasing power for technologists remains favorable despite slightly lower salaries than the national median. Employers in the area that typically offer higher compensation include hospital nuclear medicine departments and outpatient PET/CT imaging centers, where the intersection of PET/CT experience and advanced therapies can command premium pay. Factors influencing the salary spread include the credential mix—technologists with cross-training and experience in theranostics are likely to earn more—alongside the responsibilities associated with on-call coverage and the differences in workload between hospital and outpatient environments. For those aiming to maximize their nuclear medicine technologist pay in Las Cruces, pursuing certifications in PET/CT and seeking opportunities in the growing theranostics area would be beneficial strategies.
More salary data for Las Cruces, NM:
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 $98,865 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Las Cruces 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 Las Cruces 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