Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Independence, MO: $97,292 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Independence, MO earns a median $97,292/year (≈ $46.77/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Independence's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 89.6), that paycheck buys what $108,585 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.1% above the Missouri state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Independence, Missouri, nuclear medicine technologists can expect a median annual salary of $97,292 in 2026, which is approximately 8.56% lower than the national median of $106,398. The salary range for this profession in the area spans from $76,442 at the 10th percentile to $136,394 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse compensation structure influenced by various factors such as experience, certifications, and the specific workplace setting. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost-of-living variations, reflect the growing importance of advanced specialties like theranostics, which can add significant value and earning potential for technologists in this field.
About the Independence Market
Salary estimated from Missouri average ($86,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $76,442 | $36.75 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $83,942 | $40.36 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $97,292 | $46.77 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $110,871 | $53.30 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $136,394 | $65.58 |
Median Salary Position
8.56% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Independence
In Independence, MO, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $59,952 (2026 est.). At $97,292, the local median is 8.56% 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: $97,292/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Independence Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Average | $95,291 | +2.10% more |
| National Average | $106,398 | -8.56% less |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Independence, MO earn a median of $97,292 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.56% lower than the national median of $106,398 and 2.10% above the Missouri state average of $95,291.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Independence has a cost of living 10.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Independence, MO has a cost-of-living index of 89.6 (below the national average of 100). A nuclear medicine technologist earning $97,292 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $108,585 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.61% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$71,278
2025 BLS Actual
$92,694
2026 Current Est.
$97,292
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 | $71,278 | Actual |
| 2020 | $72,778 | Actual |
| 2021 | $72,019 | Actual |
| 2022 | $77,999 | Actual |
| 2023 | $84,583 | Actual |
| 2024 | $78,639 | Actual |
| 2025 | $92,694 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $97,292 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $102,117 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Independence metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 30.0% from $71,278 (2019) to $92,694 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $102,117 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,839 (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) | $76,442 – $83,942 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $83,942 – $97,292 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $97,292 – $110,871 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $110,871 – $136,394 |
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
Currently, there are 30 nuclear medicine technologists employed in Independence, indicating a stable job market for those pursuing this career path. The local cost of living, indexed at 89.6, suggests that salaries in Independence stretch further compared to the national average, providing a favorable environment for take-home earnings. The highest-paying employers in the area tend to be hospital nuclear medicine departments, outpatient PET/CT imaging centers, and specialized theranostics centers offering treatments like lutetium-177 therapies. Technologists can maximize their pay by diversifying their skill set, particularly through CT cross-training and gaining experience with theranostic therapies, which are increasingly in demand. Understanding the structural differences in compensation between hospital and outpatient roles can also provide clarity for those seeking to optimize their nuclear medicine technologist pay in Independence, MO.
More salary data for Independence, MO:
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 $92,694 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