Senior Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Lee's Summit, MO: $130,393 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of nuclear medicine technologists working in Lee's Summit, MO — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $130,393/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 29-2033. Strip back Lee's Summit's price premium (BEA RPP 89.6, 10% below national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $145,528 in average-cost America. The 38% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Compensation for senior nuclear medicine technologists in Lee's Summit, Missouri, offers considerable potential for those with extensive experience and specialized skills. In 2026, top earners in this field can expect an annual salary of approximately $130,393, significantly surpassing the median salary of $94,495. This highlights a notable premium associated with senior roles in nuclear medicine technology. To secure such high-tier pay, professionals typically need over seven years of experience, along with robust credentials and possibly advanced training in sub-specialties like PET/CT or theranostics. With a projected growth rate of 4.96% annually, the demand for seasoned nuclear medicine technologists in Lee's Summit is expected to remain strong, enhancing pay opportunities for capable professionals.
About the Lee's Summit Market
Salary estimated from Missouri average ($86,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lee's Summit
Experienced nuclear medicine technologists at the top of the pay scale in Lee's Summit earn between $112,174 and $130,393 per year (2026 est.). This $57,749 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Lee's Summit median of $94,495 sits 11.19% below the US median.
Top NMT Salary Comparison
| Level | Lee's Summit | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $94,495 | $106,398 |
| 75th Percentile | $112,174 | $122,929 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $130,393 | $141,171 |
In Lee's Summit, experienced nuclear medicine technologists (P90) earn 37.99% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay in Lee's Summit
Advanced Certifications in Missouri
MO nuclear medicine technologists with additional specialty certifications within the nuclear medicine field earn significantly above the $94,495 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Lee's Summit employers.
Specialty Focus
Nuclear Medicine Technologists focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the nuclear medicine field in Lee's Summit command premium compensation, often reaching the $112,174–$130,393 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Lee's Summit 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 Lee's Summit 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 Missouri 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 Lee's Summit
Clinical Nuclear Medicine Technologist
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Nuclear Medicine Technologist
5-10 yearsNuclear Medicine Technologist Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedLee's Summit ranks #4 of 33 Missouri cities for top earner nuclear medicine technologist salary (90th percentile: $130,393).
Top 10% nuclear medicine technologist compensation in Lee's Summit ($130,393) is 3.93% above the Missouri average P90 ($125,467).
2019 BLS Actual
$97,621
2025 BLS Actual
$124,231
2026 Current Est.
$130,393
2019–2027 Growth
+40.2%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Lee's Summit (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $97,621 | Actual |
| 2020 | $100,743 | Actual |
| 2021 | $97,473 | Actual |
| 2022 | $105,389 | Actual |
| 2023 | $114,450 | Actual |
| 2024 | $104,881 | Actual |
| 2025 | $124,231 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $130,393 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $136,860 | Projected |
Top-earning nuclear medicine technologists (90th percentile) in Lee's Summit saw their compensation grow 27.3% from $97,621 in 2019 to $124,231 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 $136,860 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lee's Summit 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 Lee's Summit
A range of specializations can significantly elevate the senior nuclear medicine technologist pay in MO, particularly in Lee's Summit. Proficiencies in PET/CT, nuclear cardiology, and theranostics treatments, including Lutathera and Pluvicto for radiopharmaceutical therapies, are particularly lucrative. Senior technologists often find employment in diverse settings such as hospital nuclear medicine departments, thoracic imaging centers, and theranostics facilities, each offering varying compensation packages influenced by funding sources and operational costs. Career advancement opportunities abound, with roles like PET/CT supervisor and radiation safety officer available to experienced professionals. Credentials from accredited institutions, alongside NMTCB or ARRT(N) certifications, can further bolster earning potential. The distinction between hospital jobs and outpatient centers may also impact non-salary benefits and on-call responsibilities, affecting overall compensation preferences among senior technicians in the field.
More salary data for Lee's Summit, MO:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced nuclear medicine technologists make in Lee's Summit in 2026?
What drives higher nuclear medicine technologist pay in Lee's Summit?
What certifications boost nuclear medicine technologist salary in Lee's Summit?
Can experienced nuclear medicine technologists make six figures in Lee's Summit?
How much does nuclear medicine technologist salary increase over time in Lee's Summit?
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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
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 $124,231 for nuclear medicine technologists in the Lee's Summit 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 Lee's Summit 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