Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Kearney, NE: $93,750 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Kearney, NE earns a median $93,750/year (≈ $45.07/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Kearney's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $102,459 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.7% below the Nebraska state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $93,750 for 2026, Kearney, Nebraska, offers a competitive compensation package for nuclear medicine technologists. The salary range spans from $77,148 at the 10th percentile to as high as $121,771 at the 90th percentile, illustrating the pay disparity often influenced by credential specialization. Technologists holding PET/CT certifications typically command higher salaries than those with SPECT-only credentials, impacting overall compensation figures. These salary estimates are adjusted based on 2025 BLS data and local cost considerations, which reflect the economic conditions specific to Kearney. As the demand for advanced imaging techniques—including those in theranostics—continues to grow, the local market may present unique opportunities for specialists looking to advance their careers and income potential.
About the Kearney Market
Salary estimated from Nebraska average ($86,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $77,148 | $37.09 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $83,009 | $39.91 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $93,750 | $45.07 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $107,766 | $51.81 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $121,771 | $58.55 |
Median Salary Position
11.89% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kearney
In Kearney, NE, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $44,623 (2026 est.). At $93,750, the local median is 11.89% below the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kearney: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Kearney Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Kearney median: $93,750/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kearney Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska Average | $97,352 | -3.70% less |
| National Average | $106,398 | -11.89% less |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Kearney, NE earn a median of $93,750 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.89% lower than the national median of $106,398 and 3.70% below the Nebraska state average of $97,352.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kearney has a cost of living 8.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kearney, NE has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A nuclear medicine technologist earning $93,750 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $102,459 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$68,684
2025 BLS Actual
$89,320
2026 Current Est.
$93,750
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Kearney (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $68,684 | Actual |
| 2020 | $70,129 | Actual |
| 2021 | $69,398 | Actual |
| 2022 | $75,160 | Actual |
| 2023 | $81,504 | Actual |
| 2024 | $75,777 | Actual |
| 2025 | $89,320 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $93,750 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $98,400 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kearney metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 30.0% from $68,684 (2019) to $89,320 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $98,400 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,716 (43.26%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kearney 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) | $77,148 – $83,009 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $83,009 – $93,750 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $93,750 – $107,766 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $107,766 – $121,771 |
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 Kearney
In Kearney, the job market for nuclear medicine technologists remains stable, with only nine professionals currently employed in the area. The relatively low cost of living, evidenced by a cost-of-living index of 91.5, enhances the purchasing power of local salaries, making the nuclear medicine technologist pay in Kearney, NE, more favorable for residents. Significant local employers include hospital nuclear medicine departments, outpatient PET/CT imaging centers, and specialized practices such as cardiology and theranostics centers. The variation in salaries is largely driven by the credential mix and experience necessary for particular roles, with those proficient in PET/CT and cross-trained in CT typically earning more. For technologists aiming to maximize their pay in Kearney, it is advisable to pursue advanced training in PET/CT and seek opportunities that involve on-call responsibilities or specialized therapies, which often come with higher compensation.
More salary data for Kearney, NE:
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 $89,320 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Kearney 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 Kearney 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