Senior Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Honolulu, HI: $184,977 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of nuclear medicine technologists working in Honolulu, HI — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $184,977/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 29-2033. Strip back Honolulu's price premium (BEA RPP 119.3, 19% above national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $155,052 in average-cost America. The 34% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Compensation for senior nuclear medicine technologists in Honolulu reflects the advanced skills and experience of professionals in this field. By 2026, top earners are projected to make a staggering $184,977, significantly surpassing the national top earner average. This gap highlights the lucrative nature of nuclear medicine technology in Hawaii, where the median annual salary is estimated at $137,595. Achieving this top-tier pay level often requires not only extensive technical expertise but also specialization in areas such as PET/CT imaging or nuclear cardiology, which are increasingly in demand. Those who invest in continuous education and pursue advanced certifications tend to find themselves in elevated positions within the industry, navigating their careers towards these higher salary brackets.
About the Honolulu Market
Salary estimated from Hawaii average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Honolulu
Experienced nuclear medicine technologists at the top of the pay scale in Honolulu earn between $162,676 and $184,977 per year (2026 est.). This $85,996 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Honolulu median of $137,595 sits 29.32% above the US median.
Top NMT Salary Comparison
| Level | Honolulu | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $137,595 | $106,398 |
| 75th Percentile | $162,676 | $122,929 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $184,977 | $141,171 |
In Honolulu, experienced nuclear medicine technologists (P90) earn 34.44% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay in Honolulu
Advanced Certifications in Hawaii
HI nuclear medicine technologists with additional specialty certifications within the nuclear medicine field earn significantly above the $137,595 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Honolulu employers.
Specialty Focus
Nuclear Medicine Technologists focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the nuclear medicine field in Honolulu command premium compensation, often reaching the $162,676–$184,977 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Honolulu metro area often pay above-market rates for experienced nuclear medicine technologists who demonstrate efficiency and leadership.
Employer Loyalty & Patient Relationships
Long-tenured nuclear medicine technologists in Honolulu with established relationships have strong negotiating leverage. In this developing market, retention bonuses and annual raises are common for top performers.
Continuing Education & Leadership
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Hawaii who pursue advanced degrees, mentor junior staff, or lead clinical education programs position themselves for the highest compensation tiers and management roles.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Career & Wage Growth Path in Honolulu
Clinical Nuclear Medicine Technologist
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Nuclear Medicine Technologist
5-10 yearsNuclear Medicine Technologist Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedHonolulu ranks #1 of 9 Hawaii cities for top earner nuclear medicine technologist salary (90th percentile: $184,977).
Top 10% nuclear medicine technologist compensation in Honolulu ($184,977) is 5.29% above the Hawaii average P90 ($175,676).
2019 BLS Actual
$138,486
2025 BLS Actual
$176,236
2026 Current Est.
$184,977
2019–2027 Growth
+40.2%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Honolulu (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $138,486 | Actual |
| 2020 | $142,915 | Actual |
| 2021 | $138,276 | Actual |
| 2022 | $149,506 | Actual |
| 2023 | $162,360 | Actual |
| 2024 | $200,341 | Actual |
| 2025 | $176,236 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $184,977 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $194,152 | Projected |
Top-earning nuclear medicine technologists (90th percentile) in Honolulu saw their compensation grow 27.3% from $138,486 in 2019 to $176,236 in 2025, based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for this metropolitan area. At a 4.96% annual growth rate, senior-level pay is projected to reach $194,152 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Honolulu 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.
Maximizing Your Nuclear Medicine Technologist Earnings in Honolulu
At the senior level, specialization plays a vital role in determining compensation for nuclear medicine technologists in Honolulu. Areas like PET/CT with an oncology focus, theranostics, and nuclear cardiology command high premiums, making these roles especially desirable. Senior technicians often find employment across diverse settings, including hospitals, outpatient imaging centers, and VA medical facilities, each offering varying pay structures. Leadership roles such as PET/CT supervisor or theranostics coordinator further elevate earning potential, while advanced credentials from accredited programs, like those endorsed by the JRCNMT or the NMTCB, can drive higher salaries. Additionally, factors such as experience with theranostics therapies, participation in on-call coverage, and CT cross-training significantly influence salary negotiations. Overall, the senior nuclear medicine technologist pay in HI reflects a dynamic interplay of expertise, specialization, and the evolving needs of the healthcare sector.
More salary data for Honolulu, HI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced nuclear medicine technologists make in Honolulu in 2026?
What drives higher nuclear medicine technologist pay in Honolulu?
What certifications boost nuclear medicine technologist salary in Honolulu?
Can experienced nuclear medicine technologists make six figures in Honolulu?
How much does nuclear medicine technologist salary increase over time in Honolulu?
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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
Top-earner salary figures on this page are 2026 projections derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. BLS reported a 90th percentile salary of $176,236 for nuclear medicine technologists in the Honolulu metro area. A 4.96% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 senior-level compensation. Individual earnings depend on certifications, specialization, practice type, and years of clinical experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Honolulu 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