Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Buckeye, AZ: $103,002 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Buckeye, AZ earns a median $103,002/year (≈ $49.52/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Buckeye's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $104,571 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.7% below the Arizona state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, professionals working as nuclear medicine technologists in Buckeye, Arizona, can expect a median annual salary of $103,002, reflecting a competitive position within the healthcare field. This salary is positioned slightly below the national median of $106,398, yet remains noteworthy considering the local market. The pay range for this occupation spans from $82,640 at the 10th percentile to $137,927 at the 90th percentile, indicating substantial earning potential for those with advanced skills, particularly in theranostics and hybrid imaging like PET/CT. These projections are drawn from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price differences, providing a reliable context for job seekers in Buckeye’s evolving healthcare sector.
About the Buckeye Market
Salary estimated from Arizona average ($96,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $82,640 | $39.73 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $89,823 | $43.18 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $103,002 | $49.52 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $116,291 | $55.91 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $137,927 | $66.31 |
Median Salary Position
3.19% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Buckeye
In Buckeye, AZ, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $55,287 (2026 est.). At $103,002, the local median is 3.19% below the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Buckeye: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Buckeye Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Buckeye median: $103,002/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Buckeye Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Average | $104,784 | -1.70% less |
| National Average | $106,398 | -3.19% less |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Buckeye, AZ earn a median of $103,002 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.19% lower than the national median of $106,398 and 1.70% below the Arizona state average of $104,784.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Buckeye has a cost of living 1.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Buckeye, AZ has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A nuclear medicine technologist earning $103,002 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $104,571 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$75,462
2025 BLS Actual
$98,135
2026 Current Est.
$103,002
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Buckeye (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $75,462 | Actual |
| 2020 | $77,050 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,247 | Actual |
| 2022 | $82,578 | Actual |
| 2023 | $89,548 | Actual |
| 2024 | $92,937 | Actual |
| 2025 | $98,135 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $103,002 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $108,111 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Buckeye metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 30.0% from $75,462 (2019) to $98,135 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $108,111 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,649 (43.27%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Buckeye 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) | $82,640 – $89,823 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $89,823 – $103,002 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $103,002 – $116,291 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $116,291 – $137,927 |
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 Buckeye
With 19 nuclear medicine technologists currently employed in Buckeye, the local job market is relatively stable, though the cost of living index stands at 98.5, suggesting a lower-than-average expense landscape. This reality of living costs can enhance take-home pay for technologists. Employers that typically offer the highest salaries include hospital nuclear medicine departments and specialized outpatient PET/CT imaging centers, especially those involved in advanced theranostics therapies. The variance in pay often stems from the demand for specific credential mixes, such as cross-training in CT, as well as experience with cutting-edge treatments like lutetium-177. To optimize pay in Buckeye, professionals should consider enhancing their skills in PET/CT and theranostics, along with seeking opportunities in facilities that cover on-call shifts, as these roles often command a premium.
More salary data for Buckeye, AZ:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nuclear medicine technologists make in Buckeye, AZ in 2026?
Is Buckeye, AZ a good place to work as a nuclear medicine technologist?
Can nuclear medicine technologists make $100K in Buckeye?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted nuclear medicine technologist salary in Buckeye?
How much does a nuclear medicine technologist make per hour in Buckeye?
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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 $98,135 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Buckeye 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 Buckeye 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