Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Philadelphia, PA: $107,542 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Philadelphia, PA earns a median $107,542/year (≈ $51.70/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Philadelphia's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 102.6), that paycheck buys what $104,864 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.8% above the Pennsylvania state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, nuclear medicine technologists in Philadelphia, PA, can expect a median annual salary of $107,542, slightly higher than the national median of $106,398. The income distribution reflects a broad range, with salaries stretching from $86,959 at the lower end to $128,566 for those at the higher end of the spectrum. This data, drawn from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and projected into 2026, highlights the impact of specialized credentials in shaping earnings. Technologists with PET/CT certifications typically command higher salaries compared to their SPECT-only counterparts, a trend that illustrates the growing importance of advanced imaging techniques in the healthcare sector. With a robust local job market, the prospects for skilled professionals in this field remain promising.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $86,959 | $41.81 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $101,864 | $48.97 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $107,542 | $51.70 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $123,622 | $59.44 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $128,566 | $61.81 |
Median Salary Position
1.08% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Philadelphia
In Philadelphia, PA, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $41,607 (2026 est.). At $107,542, the local median is 1.08% above the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Philadelphia: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Philadelphia Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Philadelphia median: $107,542/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Philadelphia Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $103,605 | +3.80% more |
| National Average | $106,398 | +1.08% more |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Philadelphia, PA earn a median of $107,542 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.08% higher than the national median of $106,398 and 3.80% above the Pennsylvania state average of $103,605.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Philadelphia has a cost of living 2.55% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Philadelphia, PA has a cost-of-living index of 102.554 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $107,542 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $104,864 — a 2.49% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$77,250
2025 BLS Actual
$102,460
2026 Current Est.
$107,542
2019–2027 Growth
+46.1%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Philadelphia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $77,250 | Actual |
| 2020 | $79,400 | Actual |
| 2021 | $79,100 | Actual |
| 2022 | $90,270 | Actual |
| 2023 | $99,660 | Actual |
| 2024 | $98,870 | Actual |
| 2025 | $102,460 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $107,542 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $112,876 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Philadelphia metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 32.6% from $77,250 (2019) to $102,460 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $112,876 by 2027 — a total increase of $35,626 (46.12%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Philadelphia 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) | $86,959 – $101,864 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $101,864 – $107,542 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $107,542 – $123,622 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $123,622 – $128,566 |
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 Philadelphia
A total of 410 nuclear medicine technologists are active in Philadelphia, contributing to a competitive job market bolstered by a cost-of-living index of 102.554, slightly above the national average. While this index indicates higher living expenses, it also underscores the importance of negotiating salaries that align with the local market dynamics. Among the city's employers, top-paying opportunities can be found in specialized outpatient PET/CT imaging centers and theranostics facilities, where experience with radiopharmaceutical therapies like lutetium-177 can lead to substantial pay premiums. The variation in salaries primarily stems from credential mix, the necessity for cross-training in CT, and the distinct compensation structures between hospital settings and outpatient centers. A savvy approach for maximizing nuclear medicine technologist pay in Philadelphia includes pursuing PET/CT qualifications, seeking positions at high-demand facilities, and being open to flexible work arrangements that may offer incentives for on-call readiness or overtime.
More salary data for Philadelphia, PA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can nuclear medicine technologists make $100K in Philadelphia?
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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 $102,460 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Philadelphia 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