Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Mesa, AZ: $104,587 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Mesa, AZ earns a median $104,587/year (≈ $50.29/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Mesa's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $106,180 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% below the Arizona state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Mesa, Arizona, nuclear medicine technologists earn a projected median annual salary of $104,587 in 2026, reflecting a competitive market. This figure is slightly below the national median of $106,398, suggesting that while professionals in Mesa enjoy robust compensation, the state still presents unique opportunities, particularly in theranostics and PET/CT imaging, which command higher pay rates due to increased demand. The local salary spectrum ranges from $80,299 at the 10th percentile to $140,322 at the 90th percentile, highlighting a diverse compensation landscape. Notably, these estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost factors, demonstrating the dynamic employment market for this valuable healthcare role in the region.
About the Mesa Market
Salary estimated from Arizona average ($96,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,299 | $38.60 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $89,300 | $42.93 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $104,587 | $50.29 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $121,470 | $58.40 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $140,322 | $67.46 |
Median Salary Position
1.7% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Mesa
In Mesa, AZ, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $60,023 (2026 est.). At $104,587, the local median is 1.7% below the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Mesa: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Mesa Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Mesa median: $104,587/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Mesa Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Average | $104,797 | -0.20% less |
| National Average | $106,398 | -1.70% less |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Mesa, AZ earn a median of $104,587 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.70% lower than the national median of $106,398 and 0.20% below the Arizona state average of $104,797.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Mesa 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.
Mesa, AZ has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A nuclear medicine technologist earning $104,587 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $106,180 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$76,624
2025 BLS Actual
$99,645
2026 Current Est.
$104,587
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Mesa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $76,624 | Actual |
| 2020 | $78,236 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,420 | Actual |
| 2022 | $83,848 | Actual |
| 2023 | $90,926 | Actual |
| 2024 | $101,631 | Actual |
| 2025 | $99,645 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $104,587 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $109,775 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Mesa metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 30.0% from $76,624 (2019) to $99,645 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $109,775 by 2027 — a total increase of $33,151 (43.26%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Mesa 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) | $80,299 – $89,300 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $89,300 – $104,587 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $104,587 – $121,470 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $121,470 – $140,322 |
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 Mesa
A total of 98 nuclear medicine technologists are currently employed in the Mesa area, indicating a steady local job market. The cost of living index in Mesa stands at 98.5, slightly below the national average, which positively affects the purchasing power of technologists' salaries. Employers who typically offer higher wages include hospital nuclear medicine departments, advanced outpatient PET/CT imaging centers, and specialized theranostics facilities focusing on cutting-edge therapies like lutetium-177. The variance in earnings can be attributed to factors such as credential mixes, with PET/CT skills often trumping SPECT-only qualifications in pay negotiations, as well as experience in theranostics and the implications of on-call coverage. For those seeking to maximize their nuclear medicine technologist pay in Mesa, pursuing cross-training in CT modalities and aiming for roles in burgeoning areas like mobile PET imaging could significantly enhance salary prospects.
More salary data for Mesa, AZ:
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
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 $99,645 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Mesa 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 Mesa 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