Senior Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Hilo, HI: $159,973 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of nuclear medicine technologists working in Hilo, HI — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $159,973/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 29-2033. Strip back Hilo's price premium (BEA RPP 119.3, 19% above national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $134,093 in average-cost America. The 30% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Hilo, HI, seasoned nuclear medicine technologists can anticipate lucrative compensation as they advance in their careers. With median annual salaries rising to $122,707 in 2026, experienced professionals can earn significantly more, with the potential salary reaching as high as $159,973 for top earners. This represents a considerable gap from the median, making it clear that expertise and experience impact income substantially. To break into this top tier, technologists typically need a strong background in PET/CT imaging, especially with oncology focus, as well as specialized knowledge in cutting-edge therapies like theranostics. Such growth potential positions Hilo’s senior professionals well above the national average, where the median annual salary stands at $106,398.
About the Hilo Market
Salary estimated from Hawaii average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hilo
Experienced nuclear medicine technologists at the top of the pay scale in Hilo earn between $141,781 and $159,973 per year (2026 est.). This $61,410 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Hilo median of $122,707 sits 15.33% above the US median.
Top NMT Salary Comparison
| Level | Hilo | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $122,707 | $106,398 |
| 75th Percentile | $141,781 | $122,929 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $159,973 | $141,171 |
In Hilo, experienced nuclear medicine technologists (P90) earn 30.37% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay in Hilo
Advanced Certifications in Hawaii
HI nuclear medicine technologists with additional specialty certifications within the nuclear medicine field earn significantly above the $122,707 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Hilo employers.
Specialty Focus
Nuclear Medicine Technologists focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the nuclear medicine field in Hilo command premium compensation, often reaching the $141,781–$159,973 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Hilo metro area often pay above-market rates for experienced nuclear medicine technologists who demonstrate efficiency and leadership.
Employer Loyalty & Patient Relationships
Long-tenured nuclear medicine technologists in Hilo with established relationships have strong negotiating leverage. In this developing market, retention bonuses and annual raises are common for top performers.
Continuing Education & Leadership
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Hawaii who pursue advanced degrees, mentor junior staff, or lead clinical education programs position themselves for the highest compensation tiers and management roles.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Career & Wage Growth Path in Hilo
Clinical Nuclear Medicine Technologist
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Nuclear Medicine Technologist
5-10 yearsNuclear Medicine Technologist Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedHilo ranks #8 of 9 Hawaii cities for top earner nuclear medicine technologist salary (90th percentile: $159,973).
Top 10% nuclear medicine technologist compensation in Hilo ($159,973) is 8.94% below the Hawaii average P90 ($175,676).
2019 BLS Actual
$119,766
2025 BLS Actual
$152,413
2026 Current Est.
$159,973
2019–2027 Growth
+40.2%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Hilo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $119,766 | Actual |
| 2020 | $123,596 | Actual |
| 2021 | $119,585 | Actual |
| 2022 | $129,296 | Actual |
| 2023 | $140,413 | Actual |
| 2024 | $173,302 | Actual |
| 2025 | $152,413 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $159,973 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $167,907 | Projected |
Top-earning nuclear medicine technologists (90th percentile) in Hilo saw their compensation grow 27.3% from $119,766 in 2019 to $152,413 in 2025, based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for this metropolitan area. At a 4.96% annual growth rate, senior-level pay is projected to reach $167,907 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hilo 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.
Maximizing Your Nuclear Medicine Technologist Earnings in Hilo
The types of practices that employ senior nuclear medicine technologists in Hilo greatly influence compensation levels. Employees may find varying pay scales in settings such as hospital nuclear medicine departments, outpatient PET/CT imaging centers, and specialized theranostics facilities. Those with advanced training and credentials—like NMTCB or ARRT(N) certifications or CT cross-training—are often able to negotiate higher salaries. Additionally, roles such as lead nuclear medicine technologist or PET/CT supervisor offer avenues for financial growth. As demand increases for specialized skills in pediatrics and nuclear cardiology, technologists with experience in these areas may also command premium salaries. Furthermore, factors like on-call coverage for radiopharmaceutical timing and the structural differences between hospital and outpatient settings add another layer to the compensation dynamics.
More salary data for Hilo, HI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced nuclear medicine technologists make in Hilo in 2026?
What drives higher nuclear medicine technologist pay in Hilo?
What certifications boost nuclear medicine technologist salary in Hilo?
Can experienced nuclear medicine technologists make six figures in Hilo?
How much does nuclear medicine technologist salary increase over time in Hilo?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Hawaii
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
Top-earner salary figures on this page are 2026 projections derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. BLS reported a 90th percentile salary of $152,413 for nuclear medicine technologists in the Hilo metro area. A 4.96% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 senior-level compensation. Individual earnings depend on certifications, specialization, practice type, and years of clinical experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Hilo 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