Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Missoula, MT: $94,021 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Missoula, MT earns a median $94,021/year (≈ $45.21/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Missoula's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.2), that paycheck buys what $97,735 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.2% below the Montana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the nuclear medicine technologist salary in Missoula is projected to reach a median of $94,021. This figure shows a notable difference when compared to the national average of $106,398, reflecting the city's unique job market. The salary range extends from $74,688 at the 10th percentile to $124,967 at the 90th percentile, indicating a substantial pay spread. The variation in compensation is largely driven by the credential split between PET/CT and SPECT-only technologists, with PET/CT specialists generally commanding higher wages due to increased demand in this specialization. Local salary estimates are informed by data derived from BLS state-level statistics and regional price adjustments, suggesting a tailored approach to assessing earnings in this context.
About the Missoula Market
Salary estimated from Montana average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $74,688 | $35.91 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $81,430 | $39.15 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $94,021 | $45.21 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $109,175 | $52.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $124,967 | $60.08 |
Median Salary Position
11.63% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Missoula
In Missoula, MT, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $50,279 (2026 est.). At $94,021, the local median is 11.63% below the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Missoula: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Missoula Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Missoula median: $94,021/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Missoula Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Montana Average | $96,136 | -2.20% less |
| National Average | $106,398 | -11.63% less |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Missoula, MT earn a median of $94,021 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.63% lower than the national median of $106,398 and 2.20% below the Montana state average of $96,136.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Missoula 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.
Missoula, MT has a cost-of-living index of 96.2 (below the national average of 100). A nuclear medicine technologist earning $94,021 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $97,735 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.95% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$68,882
2025 BLS Actual
$89,578
2026 Current Est.
$94,021
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Missoula (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $68,882 | Actual |
| 2020 | $70,332 | Actual |
| 2021 | $69,598 | Actual |
| 2022 | $75,377 | Actual |
| 2023 | $81,740 | Actual |
| 2024 | $82,787 | Actual |
| 2025 | $89,578 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $94,021 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $98,685 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Missoula metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 30.0% from $68,882 (2019) to $89,578 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $98,685 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,803 (43.27%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Missoula 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) | $74,688 – $81,430 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $81,430 – $94,021 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $94,021 – $109,175 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $109,175 – $124,967 |
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 Missoula
The job market for nuclear medicine technologists in Missoula features a small but committed workforce, with only 16 professionals currently employed in the field. Coupled with a cost of living index of 96.2, this implies that salaries in the area provide reasonable purchasing power, but careful financial planning remains essential. Top-paying employers include hospitals offering advanced nuclear medicine services, outpatient PET/CT imaging centers, and specialized cardiology practices that utilize nuclear cardiology operations. The difference in compensation reflects industry demands for PET/CT credentials and experience in theranostics, as well as factors like on-call coverage and cross-training in CT technologies. To maximize nuclear medicine technologist pay in Missoula MT, practitioners may consider pursuing dual credentials and gaining experience in high-demand areas such as mobile imaging services or theranostics therapies like Lutathera and Pluvicto.
More salary data for Missoula, MT:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nuclear medicine technologists make in Missoula, MT in 2026?
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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 $89,578 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Missoula 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 Missoula 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