Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Houston, TX: $112,549 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Houston, TX earns a median $112,549/year (≈ $54.12/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Houston's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.6), that paycheck buys what $114,113 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 10.2% above the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the median annual salary for nuclear medicine technologists in Houston, Texas, is projected at $112,549, reflecting a competitive pay scale compared to the national median of $106,398. The salary range is notable, with entry-level positions starting at $98,526 (P10) and skilled professionals earning up to $133,761 (P90). This data is derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, showcasing how credential differences can significantly impact pay disparities. For instance, technologists with PET/CT certification generally command higher salaries compared to those limited to SPECT-only credentials. As the demand for advanced imaging techniques grows, Houston’s job market indicates that technologists proficient in PET/CT and theranostics are likely to see more lucrative opportunities.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $98,526 | $47.37 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $101,717 | $48.90 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $112,549 | $54.12 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $121,103 | $58.22 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $133,761 | $64.31 |
Median Salary Position
5.78% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Houston
In Houston, TX, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $35,235 (2026 est.). At $112,549, the local median is 5.78% above the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Houston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Houston Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Houston median: $112,549/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Houston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $102,131 | +10.20% more |
| National Average | $106,398 | +5.78% more |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Houston, TX earn a median of $112,549 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.78% higher than the national median of $106,398 and 10.20% above the Texas state average of $102,131.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Houston has a cost of living 1.37% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Houston, TX has a cost-of-living index of 98.629 (below the national average of 100). A nuclear medicine technologist earning $112,549 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $114,113 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.39% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$79,970
2025 BLS Actual
$107,230
2026 Current Est.
$112,549
2019–2027 Growth
+47.7%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Houston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $79,970 | Actual |
| 2020 | $78,540 | Actual |
| 2021 | $88,890 | Actual |
| 2022 | $98,050 | Actual |
| 2023 | $97,210 | Actual |
| 2024 | $102,350 | Actual |
| 2025 | $107,230 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $112,549 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $118,131 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Houston metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 34.1% from $79,970 (2019) to $107,230 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $118,131 by 2027 — a total increase of $38,161 (47.72%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Houston 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) | $98,526 – $101,717 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $101,717 – $112,549 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $112,549 – $121,103 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $121,103 – $133,761 |
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 Houston
Currently, Houston employs about 320 nuclear medicine technologists, presenting a solid job market for those in the field. The cost of living index for the area sits at 98.629, which is below the national average, enhancing the purchasing power for local practitioners. In terms of salaries, hospitals with nuclear medicine departments, outpatient PET/CT imaging centers, and specialized theranostics facilities are typically the highest-paying employers. Factors contributing to the pay spread include credentials, on-call requirements, cross-training in CT, and the structural differences between hospital and outpatient settings. For those aiming to maximize their earnings in this market, acquiring additional certifications in PET/CT and seeking roles in high-demand sectors like theranostics, which encompass therapies such as Lutathera, are excellent strategies. Understanding these dynamics allows nuclear medicine technologists to better position themselves for lucrative opportunities in Houston TX.
More salary data for Houston, TX:
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 $107,230 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Houston 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