Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Independence, KY: $94,260 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Independence, KY earns a median $94,260/year (≈ $45.32/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Independence's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.3), that paycheck buys what $105,554 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% below the Kentucky state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected annual salary for nuclear medicine technologists in Independence, Kentucky, is estimated at $94,260, with a salary range from $74,855 at the 10th percentile to $122,113 at the 90th percentile. This local compensation shows a notable difference when set against the national median of $106,398, reflecting a variance influenced by workforce demand and the local market's specific skill requirements, particularly in PET/CT technology versus SPECT-only imaging. With relevant BLS state-level data adjusted for regional cost of living, technologists who hold PET/CT credentials are likely to command higher salaries, enhancing their earning potential in the job market. Understanding this divide is essential for prospective nuclear medicine technologists considering their career trajectory in Independence.
About the Independence Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($80,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $74,855 | $35.99 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $81,163 | $39.02 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $94,260 | $45.32 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $108,155 | $52.00 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $122,113 | $58.70 |
Median Salary Position
11.41% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Independence
In Independence, KY, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $47,258 (2026 est.). At $94,260, the local median is 11.41% below the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Independence: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Independence Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Independence median: $94,260/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Independence Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $95,021 | -0.80% less |
| National Average | $106,398 | -11.41% less |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Independence, KY earn a median of $94,260 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.41% lower than the national median of $106,398 and 0.80% below the Kentucky state average of $95,021.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Independence has a cost of living 10.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Independence, KY has a cost-of-living index of 89.3 (below the national average of 100). A nuclear medicine technologist earning $94,260 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $105,554 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.98% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$69,058
2025 BLS Actual
$89,806
2026 Current Est.
$94,260
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Independence (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $69,058 | Actual |
| 2020 | $70,511 | Actual |
| 2021 | $69,775 | Actual |
| 2022 | $75,569 | Actual |
| 2023 | $81,948 | Actual |
| 2024 | $70,874 | Actual |
| 2025 | $89,806 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $94,260 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $98,936 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Independence metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 30.0% from $69,058 (2019) to $89,806 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $98,936 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,878 (43.27%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Independence 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) | $74,855 – $81,163 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $81,163 – $94,260 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $94,260 – $108,155 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $108,155 – $122,113 |
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 Independence
The small workforce in Independence, with only five employed nuclear medicine technologists, indicates a competitive job market within healthcare settings such as local hospitals and specialty outpatient imaging centers. The cost-of-living index in Independence stands at 89.3, which suggests that salaries may stretch further compared to other areas, presenting favorable take-home purchasing power for those in the field. Employers like large hospital nuclear medicine departments and outpatient PET/CT imaging facilities tend to offer better pay, while cardiology practices and theranostics centers may pay premiums for specific experience, such as cross-training in CT procedures. The disparity in pay often stems from a combination of factors such as experience with theranostics and the demand for on-call coverage aligned with radiopharmaceutical administration. To maximize compensation, aspiring technologists should pursue the PET/CT credential and seek roles that allow for skill diversification and ongoing training in emerging treatment modalities, positioning themselves strategically in the evolving landscape of nuclear medicine technology in Independence, KY.
More salary data for Independence, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can nuclear medicine technologists make $100K in Independence?
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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 $89,806 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Independence 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 Independence 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