Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Waco, TX: $102,689 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Waco, TX earns a median $102,689/year (≈ $49.37/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Waco's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $106,968 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.5% above the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The projected nuclear medicine technologist salary in Waco for 2026 is $102,689, reflecting a slight decrease compared to the national median of $106,398. With a salary range extending from $78,260 at the 10th percentile to $140,541 at the 90th percentile, the figures demonstrate a diverse job market for technologists in the area. This analysis is informed by 2025 BLS Occupational Employment Statistics data, adjusted for regional price disparities. Waco's healthcare landscape features a mix of employment settings, including hospital nuclear medicine departments and outpatient PET/CT imaging centers, creating varied opportunities and compensation levels for local professionals.
About the Waco Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,260 | $37.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $86,763 | $41.71 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $102,689 | $49.37 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $121,531 | $58.43 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $140,541 | $67.57 |
Median Salary Position
3.49% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Waco
In Waco, TX, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $62,281 (2026 est.). At $102,689, the local median is 3.49% below the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Waco: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Waco Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Waco median: $102,689/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Waco Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $102,178 | +0.50% more |
| National Average | $106,398 | -3.49% less |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Waco, TX earn a median of $102,689 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.49% lower than the national median of $106,398 and 0.50% above the Texas state average of $102,178.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Waco 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.
Waco, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A nuclear medicine technologist earning $102,689 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $106,968 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$75,232
2025 BLS Actual
$97,836
2026 Current Est.
$102,689
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Waco (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $75,232 | Actual |
| 2020 | $76,815 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,014 | Actual |
| 2022 | $82,326 | Actual |
| 2023 | $89,275 | Actual |
| 2024 | $88,793 | Actual |
| 2025 | $97,836 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $102,689 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $107,782 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Waco metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 30.0% from $75,232 (2019) to $97,836 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $107,782 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,550 (43.27%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Waco 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) | $78,260 – $86,763 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $86,763 – $102,689 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $102,689 – $121,531 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $121,531 – $140,541 |
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 Waco
With only 22 nuclear medicine technologists currently working in Waco, the local job market remains relatively niche. The cost of living index, set at 96, means that professionals in the field typically enjoy a decent purchasing power despite a lower salary compared to national figures. Employers in Waco that tend to offer higher compensation include outpatient PET/CT imaging centers and cardiology practices integrating advanced nuclear cardiology techniques. The difference in salary can often be linked to the mix of credentials—those with PET/CT and theranostics experience command a premium, especially as these areas expand rapidly compared to traditional SPECT-only roles. For those looking to maximize their pay in Waco, obtaining cross-training in CT modalities and seeking opportunities in higher-paying outpatient settings can significantly enhance earning potential in this evolving field.
More salary data for Waco, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nuclear medicine technologists make in Waco, TX in 2026?
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Can nuclear medicine technologists make $100K in Waco?
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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 $97,836 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Waco 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 Waco 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