Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Paragould, AR: $90,321 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Paragould, AR earns a median $90,321/year (≈ $43.42/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Paragould's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.9), that paycheck buys what $103,937 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.3% below the Arkansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Paragould, AR, the nuclear medicine technologist salary is projected to reach a median annual figure of $90,321 by 2026. This estimate is derived from 2025 BLS data and reflects local economic conditions and demand, with a salary range that spans from $69,391 at the 10th percentile to $119,827 at the 90th percentile. The local job market is influenced by the credential split; those with PET/CT certifications tend to earn more compared to their SPECT-only counterparts, which indicates that skills in advanced imaging modalities can significantly impact earning potential. As fast-growing segments like theranostics gain traction, the compensation landscape for nuclear medicine technologists in Paragould is evolving, creating opportunities for those who invest in their education and credentials.
About the Paragould Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($74,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $69,391 | $33.36 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $79,541 | $38.24 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $90,321 | $43.42 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $105,353 | $50.65 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $119,827 | $57.61 |
Median Salary Position
15.11% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Paragould
In Paragould, AR, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $50,436 (2026 est.). At $90,321, the local median is 15.11% below the national median of $106,398.
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At 40 hours/week in Paragould: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Paragould Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Paragould median: $90,321/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Paragould Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $92,448 | -2.30% less |
| National Average | $106,398 | -15.11% less |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Paragould, AR earn a median of $90,321 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.11% lower than the national median of $106,398 and 2.30% below the Arkansas state average of $92,448.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Paragould has a cost of living 13.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Paragould, AR has a cost-of-living index of 86.9 (below the national average of 100). A nuclear medicine technologist earning $90,321 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $103,937 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.08% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$66,172
2025 BLS Actual
$86,053
2026 Current Est.
$90,321
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Paragould (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $66,172 | Actual |
| 2020 | $67,564 | Actual |
| 2021 | $66,859 | Actual |
| 2022 | $72,411 | Actual |
| 2023 | $78,523 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,818 | Actual |
| 2025 | $86,053 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $90,321 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $94,801 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Paragould metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 30.0% from $66,172 (2019) to $86,053 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $94,801 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,629 (43.26%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Paragould 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) | $69,391 – $79,541 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $79,541 – $90,321 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $90,321 – $105,353 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $105,353 – $119,827 |
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 Paragould
In the context of the local job market, Paragould employs around seven nuclear medicine technologists, reflecting a modest but stable demand. The cost of living index in the area is 86.9, indicating that while salaries may be lower than the national average, purchasing power remains favorable. Top employers in the region include hospital nuclear medicine departments and outpatient PET/CT imaging centers, with higher compensation often linked to experience in theranostics and the demand for on-call coverage related to radiopharmaceutical timing. This pay spread illustrates the importance of cross-training, particularly in CT imaging, as technologists with such skills find themselves more competitive for higher-paying positions. To maximize pay in Paragould's nuclear medicine field, pursuing dual credentials and seeking roles that utilize advanced imaging techniques could prove beneficial in enhancing overall earnings.
More salary data for Paragould, 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
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 $86,053 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Paragould 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 Paragould 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