Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Salem, OR: $110,835 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Salem, OR earns a median $110,835/year (≈ $53.29/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Salem's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 102.6), that paycheck buys what $108,026 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% above the Oregon state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Nuclear medicine technologists in Salem, Oregon are expected to earn a median annual salary of $110,835 in 2026, reflecting a competitive pay scale when placed alongside the national median of $106,398. Local estimates indicate that salaries range from $80,546 at the 10th percentile to $153,915 at the 90th percentile. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost factors, providing insight into the compensation landscape for this profession. As Salem continues to support various healthcare facilities, including hospital nuclear medicine departments and specialized outpatient PET/CT centers, the job market shows promising potential for technologists looking to advance their careers.
About the Salem Market
Salary estimated from Oregon average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,546 | $38.72 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $90,780 | $43.64 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $110,835 | $53.29 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $132,408 | $63.66 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $153,915 | $74.00 |
Median Salary Position
4.17% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Salem
In Salem, OR, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $73,369 (2026 est.). At $110,835, the local median is 4.17% above the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Salem: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Salem Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Salem median: $110,835/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Salem Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon Average | $109,197 | +1.50% more |
| National Average | $106,398 | +4.17% more |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Salem, OR earn a median of $110,835 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.17% higher than the national median of $106,398 and 1.50% above the Oregon state average of $109,197.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Salem has a cost of living 2.60% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Salem, OR has a cost-of-living index of 102.6 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $110,835 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $108,026 — a 2.53% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$81,200
2025 BLS Actual
$105,597
2026 Current Est.
$110,835
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Salem (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $81,200 | Actual |
| 2020 | $82,909 | Actual |
| 2021 | $82,044 | Actual |
| 2022 | $88,857 | Actual |
| 2023 | $96,357 | Actual |
| 2024 | $122,919 | Actual |
| 2025 | $105,597 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $110,835 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $116,332 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Salem metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 30.0% from $81,200 (2019) to $105,597 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $116,332 by 2027 — a total increase of $35,132 (43.27%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Salem 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) | $80,546 – $90,780 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $90,780 – $110,835 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $110,835 – $132,408 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $132,408 – $153,915 |
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 Salem
The job market in Salem has 44 nuclear medicine technologists currently employed, pointing to a solid presence within the region. With a cost-of-living index of 102.6, living in Salem can slightly impact take-home purchasing power, underscoring the importance of salary negotiation in this area. Those who work in high-demand sectors such as theranostics centers and outpatient imaging facilities often see higher compensation due to the specialized nature of the work, particularly with innovations like lutetium-177 therapies becoming more mainstream. Variations in pay can also stem from credentialing differences, with cross-trained technologists in PET/CT—compared to those with SPECT-only credentials—carrying a significant premium. For individuals seeking to maximize their earnings in this specific Salem market, focusing on gaining experience in the more lucrative specialties, expanding their skill set for versatile imaging roles, and being open to on-call opportunities can greatly enhance earning potential.
More salary data for Salem, OR:
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 $105,597 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Salem 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 Salem 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