Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in McAllen, TX: $104,092 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in McAllen, TX earns a median $104,092/year (≈ $50.04/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in McAllen's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $108,429 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.9% above the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, nuclear medicine technologists in McAllen, Texas, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $104,092, slightly below the national median of $106,398. The salary range within the city varies significantly from $76,260 at the 10th percentile to $145,350 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse job market for these professionals. The estimates used here are derived from 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, factoring in regional price variations. Particularly, those with a specialization in theranostics, including advanced radiopharmaceutical therapies like Pluvicto and Lutathera, can command a premium salary over their SPECT-only counterparts. Overall, McAllen's job market is supported by the growing demand for nuclear medicine services, which bodes well for career prospects in this field.
About the McAllen Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $76,260 | $36.66 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $85,703 | $41.21 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $104,092 | $50.04 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $118,520 | $56.98 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $145,350 | $69.88 |
Median Salary Position
2.17% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in McAllen
In McAllen, TX, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $69,090 (2026 est.). At $104,092, the local median is 2.17% below the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in McAllen: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How McAllen Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
McAllen median: $104,092/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | McAllen Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $102,151 | +1.90% more |
| National Average | $106,398 | -2.17% less |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in McAllen, TX earn a median of $104,092 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.17% lower than the national median of $106,398 and 1.90% above the Texas state average of $102,151.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
McAllen has a cost of living 4.00% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
McAllen, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A nuclear medicine technologist earning $104,092 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $108,429 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$76,261
2025 BLS Actual
$99,173
2026 Current Est.
$104,092
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in McAllen (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $76,261 | Actual |
| 2020 | $77,865 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,053 | Actual |
| 2022 | $83,451 | Actual |
| 2023 | $90,495 | Actual |
| 2024 | $90,006 | Actual |
| 2025 | $99,173 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $104,092 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $109,255 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the McAllen metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 30.0% from $76,261 (2019) to $99,173 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $109,255 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,994 (43.26%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the McAllen 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) | $76,260 – $85,703 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $85,703 – $104,092 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $104,092 – $118,520 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $118,520 – $145,350 |
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 McAllen
Currently, there are 25 nuclear medicine technologists employed in McAllen, reflecting a modest market for this occupation. With a cost-of-living index of 96, the purchasing power for technologists in the area is higher than that in many other regions, enhancing their overall compensation experience. Among local employers, hospital nuclear medicine departments typically offer the highest salaries, followed closely by outpatient PET/CT imaging centers. The disparity in pay can largely be attributed to the variety of credentials held by technologists, particularly those who are cross-trained in CT or possess experience in high-demand sectors like theranostics centers. To maximize pay, technologists should pursue additional certifications and specialties such as PET/CT, which is becoming increasingly preferred over SPECT-only roles. Furthermore, securing positions in mobile PET imaging companies or those offering on-call coverage can also provide additional financial incentives.
More salary data for McAllen, 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 $99,173 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the McAllen 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 McAllen 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