Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Rochester, NY: $105,936 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Rochester, NY earns a median $105,936/year (≈ $50.93/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Rochester's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.0), that paycheck buys what $109,173 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 14.1% below the New York state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the median annual salary for nuclear medicine technologists in Rochester, New York, stands at $105,936, representing a slight decrease of 0.43% compared to the national median of $106,398. The earnings for professionals in this field vary significantly, with a range that extends from $89,373 (at the 10th percentile) to $126,697 (at the 90th percentile). These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, reflecting the importance of credentialing and specialization in the market. Technologists specializing in theranostics, particularly with expertise in radiopharmaceutical therapies, can command higher salaries due to the growing demand in this segment, indicating robust opportunities within Rochester’s healthcare landscape.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $89,373 | $42.97 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $99,880 | $48.02 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $105,936 | $50.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $109,221 | $52.51 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $126,697 | $60.91 |
Median Salary Position
0.43% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rochester
In Rochester, NY, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $37,324 (2026 est.). At $105,936, the local median is 0.43% below the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Rochester: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Rochester Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Rochester median: $105,936/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rochester Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New York Average | $123,325 | -14.10% less |
| National Average | $106,398 | -0.43% less |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Rochester, NY earn a median of $105,936 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.43% lower than the national median of $106,398 and 14.10% below the New York state average of $123,325.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rochester has a cost of living 2.97% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Rochester, NY has a cost-of-living index of 97.035 (below the national average of 100). A nuclear medicine technologist earning $105,936 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $109,173 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.06% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$79,460
2025 BLS Actual
$100,930
2026 Current Est.
$105,936
2019–2027 Growth
+39.9%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Rochester (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $79,460 | Actual |
| 2020 | $76,080 | Actual |
| 2021 | $78,670 | Actual |
| 2022 | $85,270 | Actual |
| 2023 | $92,370 | Actual |
| 2024 | $100,320 | Actual |
| 2025 | $100,930 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $105,936 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $111,191 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rochester metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 27.0% from $79,460 (2019) to $100,930 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $111,191 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,731 (39.93%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rochester 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) | $89,373 – $99,880 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $99,880 – $105,936 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $105,936 – $109,221 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $109,221 – $126,697 |
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 Rochester
Rochester’s job market features approximately 50 nuclear medicine technologists, which creates a stable but competitive environment for job seekers. The cost of living in the area is relatively low, with a cost-of-living index of 97.035, allowing for better purchasing power relative to other regions. Among leading employers, hospital nuclear medicine departments and specialized outpatient PET/CT imaging centers tend to offer the best compensation packages. Factors affecting the salary range include the credential mix, such as those with training in both PET/CT and theranostics, as well as the structural differences between hospital settings and outpatient practices. To maximize pay, nuclear medicine technologists should consider obtaining certifications in related areas, pursuing on-call opportunities, and ensuring cross-training in CT, which can enhance marketability and salary potential in Rochester’s evolving healthcare sector.
More salary data for Rochester, NY:
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 $100,930 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Rochester 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-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