Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Helena, MT: $92,069 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Helena, MT earns a median $92,069/year (≈ $44.26/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Helena's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.2), that paycheck buys what $95,706 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.2% below the Montana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $92,069 for nuclear medicine technologists in 2026, professionals in Helena, Montana can expect competitive compensation compared to their peers in the region. The salary range varies significantly, from $74,926 at the 10th percentile to $118,602 at the 90th percentile, indicating a robust market driven by the growing demand for specialized skills such as theranostics. These projections, based on 2025 BLS data, account for regional cost adjustments and market dynamics, highlighting the increasing importance of advanced therapeutic techniques like lutetium-177 therapies in today’s healthcare landscape. This reflects a local job market that not only supports a thriving community of professionals but also emphasizes the need for continuous skill development.
About the Helena Market
Salary estimated from Montana average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $74,926 | $36.02 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $80,901 | $38.90 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $92,069 | $44.26 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $107,217 | $51.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $118,602 | $57.02 |
Median Salary Position
13.47% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Helena
In Helena, MT, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $43,676 (2026 est.). At $92,069, the local median is 13.47% below the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Helena: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Helena Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Helena median: $92,069/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Helena Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Montana Average | $96,105 | -4.20% less |
| National Average | $106,398 | -13.47% less |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Helena, MT earn a median of $92,069 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.47% lower than the national median of $106,398 and 4.20% below the Montana state average of $96,105.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Helena has a cost of living 3.80% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Helena, MT has a cost-of-living index of 96.2 (below the national average of 100). A nuclear medicine technologist earning $92,069 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $95,706 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.95% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$67,452
2025 BLS Actual
$87,718
2026 Current Est.
$92,069
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Helena (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $67,452 | Actual |
| 2020 | $68,871 | Actual |
| 2021 | $68,153 | Actual |
| 2022 | $73,812 | Actual |
| 2023 | $80,043 | Actual |
| 2024 | $81,069 | Actual |
| 2025 | $87,718 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $92,069 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $96,635 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Helena metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 30.0% from $67,452 (2019) to $87,718 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $96,635 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,183 (43.26%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Helena 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) | $74,926 – $80,901 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $80,901 – $92,069 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $92,069 – $107,217 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $107,217 – $118,602 |
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 Helena
In Helena, where only seven nuclear medicine technologists are employed, the job market remains tight, which can affect overall salary potential. The cost-of-living index stands at 96.2, slightly below the national average, suggesting that take-home pay can stretch further in this area. Among local employers, hospital nuclear medicine departments and outpatient PET/CT imaging centers tend to offer the highest wages, followed closely by cardiology practices featuring nuclear cardiology services. The substantial pay variance is often driven by factors such as credential mix—those with dual PET/CT and SPECT qualifications—as well as experience in theranostics and on-call duties related to radiopharmaceuticals. To maximize income in Helena, technologists should consider pursuing additional cross-training and developing expertise in emerging therapies, which will help them remain competitive as the market evolves.
More salary data for Helena, MT:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nuclear medicine technologists make in Helena, MT in 2026?
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Can nuclear medicine technologists make $100K in Helena?
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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 $87,718 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Helena 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 Helena 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