Entry-Level Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Tulsa, OK: $85,962 (2026)
Quick Answer:New nuclear medicine technologists entering the Tulsa, OK job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $85,962 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2033, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Tulsa's local price level (BEA RPP 89.2 — 11% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $96,355 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($102,137) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
New graduates entering the nuclear medicine technologist field in Tulsa can expect an entry-level salary of around $85,962 in 2026. This starting pay represents a notable gap from the city's median annual salary of $102,137, indicating a strong upward potential in this career. Early-career professionals can realistically grow their earnings from this initial figure, climbing to about $89,552 after a few years as they gain experience and prove their capabilities. With a healthy annual growth rate of 4.96%, Tulsa currently serves as an attractive market for entry-level nuclear medicine technologists, providing numerous opportunities for new graduates looking to establish their careers in a promising field.
Career Earnings Timeline in Tulsa
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 Tulsa
Entry-level nuclear medicine technologists in Tulsa, OK typically start between $85,962 and $89,552 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $25,275 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $102,137 — 4% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average nuclear medicine program cost in Oklahoma of $24,000 represents just 27.92% of the starting nuclear medicine technologist pay ($85,962/year) in Tulsa. 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 Tulsa
- 1Research the Tulsa market: entry-level nuclear medicine technologist pay ranges from $85,962 to $89,552, 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 OK often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Tulsa, 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 Tulsa for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Tulsa'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 Tulsa is $25,275 ( 29.40%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $85,962, experienced hygienists can earn up to $111,237.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$59,830
2025 BLS Actual
$81,900
2026 Current Est.
$85,962
2019–2027 Growth
+50.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Tulsa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,830 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,520 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,550 | Actual |
| 2022 | $62,230 | Actual |
| 2023 | $75,050 | Actual |
| 2024 | $79,020 | Actual |
| 2025 | $81,900 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $85,962 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $90,226 | Projected |
Entry-level nuclear medicine technologist compensation (10th percentile) in Tulsa, OK grew 36.9% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $59,830 in 2019 to $81,900 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $90,226. New graduates entering the Tulsa job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tulsa 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 Tulsa
New graduates seeking employment in Tulsa will find that various healthcare facilities provide a path into nuclear medicine technology. Hospitals and nuclear medicine departments are notable employers, often offering paid cross-training programs for emerging technologists, particularly in PET/CT imaging. Outpatient imaging centers might recruit pre-credentialed PET technologists, while theranostics centers typically seek candidates with 3-5 years of specific experience. To enhance starting pay in Oklahoma, new entrants should consider obtaining credentials through an Associate or Bachelor’s degree from a JRCNMT-accredited program, as well as obtaining national certification from NMTCB or ARRT(N) and completing a state licensing process. Additionally, cross-training in computed tomography (CT) through NMTCB-CT or ARRT-CT can significantly improve prospects. Given the rapid growth in PET/CT and theranostics—areas that offer premium compensations—strategically pursuing roles aligned with these high-demand segments should be a focus for newly minted technologists as they begin their careers. First-year salary growth expectations in this environment may vary, but realistically, entry-level professionals could expect gradual increases as they gain valuable skills in this dynamic job market.
More salary data for Tulsa, OK:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for nuclear medicine technologists in Tulsa in 2026?
How fast do nuclear medicine technologist salaries grow in Tulsa?
Is nuclear medicine school worth it in Tulsa?
What do new nuclear medicine technologists make right out of school in Tulsa?
How do I become a nuclear medicine technologist in Oklahoma?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Oklahoma
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 Tulsa. 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