Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Clearwater, FL: $106,844 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Clearwater, FL earns a median $106,844/year (≈ $51.37/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Clearwater's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.8), that paycheck buys what $105,996 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.5% above the Florida state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For nuclear medicine technologists in Clearwater, Florida, the anticipated median salary in 2026 is projected to be $106,844, reflecting a slight increase compared to the national median of $106,398. This salary range varies significantly across the profession, with entry-level positions starting around $77,995, while top earners can command as much as $148,967 annually. The local estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price parities, indicate distinct pay scales influenced by specific credentials. Those with skills in PET/CT generally see higher compensation compared to peers focused solely on SPECT methodologies, highlighting the increasing importance of advanced imaging techniques in the Clearwater job market.
About the Clearwater Market
Salary estimated from Florida average ($86,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $77,995 | $37.50 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $87,674 | $42.15 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $106,844 | $51.37 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $127,745 | $61.41 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $148,967 | $71.61 |
Median Salary Position
0.42% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Clearwater
In Clearwater, FL, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $70,972 (2026 est.). At $106,844, the local median is 0.42% above the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Clearwater: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Clearwater Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Clearwater median: $106,844/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Clearwater Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Average | $102,243 | +4.50% more |
| National Average | $106,398 | +0.42% more |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Clearwater, FL earn a median of $106,844 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.42% higher than the national median of $106,398 and 4.50% above the Florida state average of $102,243.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Clearwater has a cost of living 0.80% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Clearwater, FL has a cost-of-living index of 100.8 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $106,844 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $105,996 — a 0.79% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$78,277
2025 BLS Actual
$101,795
2026 Current Est.
$106,844
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Clearwater (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $78,277 | Actual |
| 2020 | $79,924 | Actual |
| 2021 | $79,090 | Actual |
| 2022 | $85,658 | Actual |
| 2023 | $92,888 | Actual |
| 2024 | $88,140 | Actual |
| 2025 | $101,795 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $106,844 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $112,143 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Clearwater metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 30.0% from $78,277 (2019) to $101,795 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $112,143 by 2027 — a total increase of $33,866 (43.26%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Clearwater 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) | $77,995 – $87,674 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $87,674 – $106,844 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $106,844 – $127,745 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $127,745 – $148,967 |
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 Clearwater
With only 19 nuclear medicine technologists currently employed in the area, job opportunities are relatively limited, but the competition for skilled professionals remains robust. The cost of living index in Clearwater stands at 100.8, suggesting that salaries may need to accommodate slightly above-average expenses. Facilities such as hospital nuclear medicine departments, outpatient PET/CT imaging centers, and specialized theranostics centers offer the highest compensation, particularly for technologists with experience in lutetium-177 therapies or those who manage on-call coverage for radiopharmaceuticals. Given the growing demand for PET/CT services, technologists looking to maximize their pay should consider cross-training in CT, leveraging specialized certifications, and seeking roles in outpatient contexts, which often provide superior salary options compared to hospital settings in Clearwater, FL.
More salary data for Clearwater, FL:
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 $101,795 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Clearwater 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 Clearwater 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