Entry-Level Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Little Rock, AR: $82,646 (2026)
Quick Answer:New nuclear medicine technologists entering the Little Rock, AR job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $82,646 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2033, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Little Rock's local price level (BEA RPP 89.4 — 11% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $92,482 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($93,624) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
Starting in 2026, new graduates seeking entry-level positions as nuclear medicine technologists in Little Rock, AR can expect a starting salary around $82,646, which reflects the lower end of the salary range for this profession. This initial pay presents a noticeable gap when compared to the city’s median annual salary of $93,624. Over the first few years in the field, early-career professionals can anticipate steady salary growth, reaching approximately $87,820 within a few years, assisted by the local demand for skilled technicians. Given the projected annual growth rate of 4.96%, the Little Rock job market is favorable for new entrants, making it a viable option for those about to begin their careers in nuclear medicine.
Career Earnings Timeline in Little Rock
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Little Rock
Entry-level nuclear medicine technologists in Little Rock, AR typically start between $82,646 and $87,820 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $23,049 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $93,624 — 12.01% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average nuclear medicine program cost in Arkansas of $20,000 represents just 24.20% of the starting nuclear medicine technologist pay ($82,646/year) in Little Rock. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on JRCNMT-accredited nuclear medicine technology program data. Available as associate degree, bachelor's degree, or post-primary certificate pathways. Tuition-only averages; actual costs vary significantly by institution type.
NMT Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Little Rock
- 1Research the Little Rock market: entry-level nuclear medicine technologist pay ranges from $82,646 to $87,820, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the nuclear medicine field — employers in AR often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Little Rock, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Little Rock for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Little Rock's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Compensation Range
The nuclear medicine technologist wage spread in Little Rock is $23,049 ( 27.89%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $82,646, experienced hygienists can earn up to $105,695.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$49,900
2025 BLS Actual
$78,740
2026 Current Est.
$82,646
2019–2027 Growth
+73.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Little Rock (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49,900 | Actual |
| 2020 | $51,020 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,970 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,360 | Actual |
| 2023 | $49,260 | Actual |
| 2024 | $51,210 | Actual |
| 2025 | $78,740 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $82,646 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $86,745 | Projected |
Entry-level nuclear medicine technologist compensation (10th percentile) in Little Rock, AR grew 57.8% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $49,900 in 2019 to $78,740 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $86,745. New graduates entering the Little Rock job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Little Rock 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.
Starting Your nuclear medicine Career in Little Rock
To land a position, new grads should focus on employers in Little Rock that actively recruit for nuclear medicine technologists, such as hospital nuclear medicine departments, outpatient PET imaging facilities, and theranostics centers. Hospitals often provide job opportunities paired with paid PET/CT cross-training, enhancing the employability of newcomers. To maximize earning potential, graduates should secure credentials through national certification, such as from the NMTCB or ARRT(N), and possibly even pursue additional cross-training in CT (NMTCB-CT or ARRT-CT). Entering roles that align with booming fields like PET/CT and theranostics will lead to faster salary progression, as these areas typically offer higher compensation compared to SPECT-only roles. Realistically, within the first three years in Little Rock, new graduates can expect their pay to steadily rise, driven by industry demand and their pursuit of advanced training and certifications.
More salary data for Little Rock, AR:
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
Entry-level 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 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new nuclear medicine graduates. A 4.96% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Little Rock. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
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