Lead Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in the United States

How much does a Lead Nuclear Medicine Technologist make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Lead Nuclear Medicine Technologist in the United States is $97,839 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $47.

However, a Lead Nuclear Medicine Technologist's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $114,645
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $85,700 to $106,636
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $74,648

Key Factors That Influence Lead Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salaries

A Lead Nuclear Medicine Technologist's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Lead Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Lead Nuclear Medicine Technologist's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $98,988
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $100,368
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $112,133
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $157,604
  • Expert (over 8 years): $161,924
Levels Salary
Nuclear M... Level Lead Nuclear Medicine Technologist$98,988
Lead Nucl... Level Lead Nuclear Medicine Technologist$100,368
Nuclear M... Level Lead Nuclear Medicine Technologist$112,133
Nuclear L... Level Lead Nuclear Medicine Technologist$157,604
Chief Nuc... Level Lead Nuclear Medicine Technologist$161,924

Top Paying Cities for Lead Nuclear Medicine Technologists

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $123,405
  • San Francisco: $122,053
  • Oakland: $119,481

What Skills Can Increase a Lead Nuclear Medicine Technologist's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Initiative (Mentioned in 1.82% Job Postings): Taking decisive action and initiating plans independently to address problems, improve professional life, and achieve goals.
  • Radiation Safety (Mentioned in 2.83% Job Postings): Establishing and maintaining safety standards in handling radioactive materials to reduce unnecessary and harmful effects of radiation exposure.
  • Geriatrics (Mentioned in 1.42% Job Postings): Geriatrics, or geriatric medicine, is a medical specialty focused on providing care for the unique health needs of older adults. The term geriatrics originates from the Greek geron meaning "old man", and iatros meaning "healer".
Skills Demand Percentage
Initiative 1.82%
Radiation Safety 2.83%
Geriatrics 1.42%

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Lead Nuclear Medicine Technologist's salary.

  • Analysis: Can increase your salary by up to 16%.
  • Agility: Can increase your salary by up to 16%.
  • Ansible: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Analysis $113,493
16%
Agility $113,493
16%
Ansible $106,645
9%

Lead Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Lead Nuclear Medicine Technologist roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Lead Nuclear Medicine Technologist positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Biotechnology typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Lead Nuclear Medicine Technologist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Lead Nuclear Medicine Technologist

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare$117,407$56.020%
Pharmaceuticals$107,623$52.010%

How Education impacts a Lead Nuclear Medicine Technologist's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Lead Nuclear Medicine Technologists enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Lead Nuclear Medicine Technologist with a Bachelor's Degree is between $91,023 and $96,257).

Lead Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Lead Nuclear Medicine Technologist
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 10.1%
High School 10.1%
Associates 36.1%
Bachelors 50.7%
Masters 2.8%
Doctorate 0.3%

Lead Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Lead Nuclear Medicine Technologist's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$85,700
Average $97,839/year
$106,636
$7,142
Average $8,153/month
$8,886
$1,648
Average $1,882/week
$2,051
$41
Average $47/hour
$51
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $106,636 $8,886 $2,051 $51
Average $97,839 $8,153 $1,882 $47
25th Percentile $85,700 $7,142 $1,648 $41

Most common benefits for Lead Nuclear Medicine Technologist

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Lead Nuclear Medicine Technologist

Here are companies hiring for Lead Nuclear Medicine Technologist and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Lead Nuclear Medicine Technologist

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Lead Nuclear Medicine Technologist?

The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for Lead Nuclear Medicine Technologist roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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