Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Bristol, RI: $101,226 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Bristol, RI earns a median $101,226/year (≈ $48.67/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Bristol's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.5), that paycheck buys what $100,722 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.3% below the Rhode Island state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, a nuclear medicine technologist salary in Bristol, RI, is projected to reach a median of $101,226, which is approximately 4.86% lower than the national median of $106,398. The salary range for this occupation in Bristol varies significantly, with the 10th percentile earning around $80,250 and the 90th percentile earning up to $129,896. These figures, derived from state-level data and adjusted for local cost of living, reveal a competitive landscape for nuclear medicine technologists in the area, particularly influenced by the choice between working in hospital departments or outpatient PET/CT centers. As the local healthcare sector evolves, the demand for skilled technologists remains robust.
About the Bristol Market
Salary estimated from Rhode Island average ($100,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,250 | $38.58 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $86,576 | $41.63 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $101,226 | $48.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $110,493 | $53.12 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $129,896 | $62.45 |
Median Salary Position
4.86% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bristol
In Bristol, RI, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $49,646 (2026 est.). At $101,226, the local median is 4.86% below the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bristol: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bristol Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Bristol median: $101,226/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bristol Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island Average | $106,891 | -5.30% less |
| National Average | $106,398 | -4.86% less |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Bristol, RI earn a median of $101,226 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.86% lower than the national median of $106,398 and 5.30% below the Rhode Island state average of $106,891.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bristol has a cost of living 0.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bristol, RI has a cost-of-living index of 100.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $101,226 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $100,722 — a 0.5% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$74,161
2025 BLS Actual
$96,442
2026 Current Est.
$101,226
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Bristol (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $74,161 | Actual |
| 2020 | $75,721 | Actual |
| 2021 | $74,931 | Actual |
| 2022 | $81,153 | Actual |
| 2023 | $88,003 | Actual |
| 2024 | $95,139 | Actual |
| 2025 | $96,442 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $101,226 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $106,246 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bristol metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 30.0% from $74,161 (2019) to $96,442 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $106,246 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,085 (43.26%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bristol 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) | $80,250 – $86,576 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $86,576 – $101,226 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $101,226 – $110,493 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $110,493 – $129,896 |
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 Bristol
Currently, Bristol employs five nuclear medicine technologists, a number that reflects a specialized but stable job market in the healthcare field. With a cost-of-living index of 100.5, take-home purchasing power experiences slight pressure, indicating that local salaries may not stretch as far as they would in less expensive areas. Among local employers, hospital nuclear medicine departments, outpatient PET/CT imaging centers, and specialized theranostics centers offer varying levels of compensation. The disparity in pay often hinges on qualifications and duties; for instance, technologists with experience in theranostics, PET/CT technology, or those who provide on-call coverage may command higher wages. To maximize earning potential in Bristol, pursuing cross-training in both SPECT and PET/CT modalities, as well as gaining credentials in advancing therapeutic practices, will be advantageous as this segment continues its upward trend.
More salary data for Bristol, RI:
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 $96,442 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Bristol 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 Bristol 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