Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Altoona, PA: $99,730 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Altoona, PA earns a median $99,730/year (≈ $47.95/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Altoona's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.4), that paycheck buys what $102,392 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.8% below the Pennsylvania state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Altoona, Pennsylvania, the projected median annual salary for a nuclear medicine technologist is $99,730 in 2026. This figure reflects a competitive market compared to the national median of $106,398 and highlights a salary range of $82,278 to $129,167 based on experience and specialization. Local estimates derived from BLS state-level data indicate that technicians with expertise in PET/CT imaging may command higher wages than those focused solely on SPECT procedures. With the rapid advancement of radiopharmaceutical therapies and growth in the PET/CT sector, those holding these credentials can significantly enhance their earning potential in Altoona's healthcare landscape.
About the Altoona Market
Salary estimated from Pennsylvania average ($96,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $82,278 | $39.56 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $86,028 | $41.36 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $99,730 | $47.95 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $114,638 | $55.11 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $129,167 | $62.09 |
Median Salary Position
6.27% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Altoona
In Altoona, PA, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $46,889 (2026 est.). At $99,730, the local median is 6.27% below the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Altoona: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Altoona Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Altoona median: $99,730/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Altoona Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $103,669 | -3.80% less |
| National Average | $106,398 | -6.27% less |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Altoona, PA earn a median of $99,730 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.27% lower than the national median of $106,398 and 3.80% below the Pennsylvania state average of $103,669.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Altoona has a cost of living 2.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Altoona, PA has a cost-of-living index of 97.4 (below the national average of 100). A nuclear medicine technologist earning $99,730 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $102,392 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.67% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$73,065
2025 BLS Actual
$95,017
2026 Current Est.
$99,730
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Altoona (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $73,065 | Actual |
| 2020 | $74,602 | Actual |
| 2021 | $73,824 | Actual |
| 2022 | $79,954 | Actual |
| 2023 | $86,703 | Actual |
| 2024 | $89,984 | Actual |
| 2025 | $95,017 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $99,730 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $104,676 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Altoona metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 30.0% from $73,065 (2019) to $95,017 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $104,676 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,611 (43.26%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Altoona 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) | $82,278 – $86,028 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $86,028 – $99,730 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $99,730 – $114,638 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $114,638 – $129,167 |
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 Altoona
Employment opportunities for nuclear medicine technologists in Altoona are relatively limited, with only nine specialists currently employed in the area, which may create a positive job outlook given the projected industry growth rate of 4.96% annually. The cost of living index in Altoona stands at 97.4, indicating a lower cost of living than the national average, which can enhance take-home pay for technologists navigating their careers. Higher-paying roles typically exist in hospital nuclear medicine departments and outpatient PET/CT imaging centers, while experience in theranostics and cross-training in CT can further elevate compensation. To maximize earnings, technologists should consider acquiring additional certifications in PET/CT and maintaining flexibility for on-call procedures to meet the demands of radiopharmaceutical timing, which can differentiate them in the market.
More salary data for Altoona, PA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nuclear medicine technologists make in Altoona, PA in 2026?
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Can nuclear medicine technologists make $100K in Altoona?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted nuclear medicine technologist salary in Altoona?
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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 $95,017 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Altoona 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 Altoona 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