Nuclear Med Tech Salary

Albuquerque vs Hobbs: Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare nuclear medicine technologist salaries between Albuquerque, NM and Hobbs, NM. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Albuquerque, NM
$103,281
$49.66/hr
Hobbs, NM
$97,664
$46.96/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAlbuquerque, NMHobbs, NM
Median Salary$103,281$97,664
Hourly Rate$49.66$46.96
Entry Level (P10)$78,531$74,285
25th Percentile$78,531$87,626
75th Percentile$110,386$113,382
Top Earner (P90)$131,116$128,689
Total Employed409
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Albuquerque ($103,281) and Hobbs ($97,664) nuclear medicine technologist salaries.AlbuquerqueHobbsMedian Salary$103,281$97,664Entry Level (P10)$78,531$74,285Top Earner (P90)$131,116$128,689US Median $106,398

Verdict

Albuquerque, NM offers better overall compensation for nuclear medicine technologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Hobbs.

The salary gap between Albuquerque and Hobbs is $5,617 (5.75%). Albuquerque's median is -2.93% compared to the US national median of $106,398.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Albuquerque spans $52,585,Hobbs spans $54,404. Hobbs has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced nuclear medicine technologists.

Albuquerque
P10 (Entry)$78,531
P25$78,531
Median$103,281
P75$110,386
P90 (Top)$131,116
Hobbs
P10 (Entry)$74,285
P25$87,626
Median$97,664
P75$113,382
P90 (Top)$128,689

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Albuquerque ($108,096 effective) pays 4.48% more than Hobbs ($103,458 effective).

Albuquerque
Nominal: $103,281
CoL Index: 95.546
Adjusted: $108,096
Hobbs
Nominal: $97,664
CoL Index: 94.4
Adjusted: $103,458

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Albuquerque if…

  • Higher median salary ($103,281/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($131,116)
  • Larger job market (40 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $108,096)
  • You prefer the New Mexico area and lifestyle

Choose Hobbs if…

  • You prefer the New Mexico area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nuclear medicine technologist salaries in Albuquerque grew 31.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 23.6% growth in Hobbs over the same period.

Albuquerque, NM

+31.7%

$74,740 (2019) → $98,400 (2025)

Hobbs, NM

+23.6%

$75,269 (2024) → $93,049 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nuclear medicine technologists more: Albuquerque or Hobbs?

Albuquerque has a higher median nuclear medicine technologist salary at $103,281/year, compared to Hobbs at $97,664/year — a difference of $5,617 (5.75%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Albuquerque and Hobbs?

Albuquerque nuclear medicine technologists earn $49.66/hr while Hobbs hygienists earn $46.96/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Albuquerque to Hobbs as a nuclear medicine technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Albuquerque and Hobbs. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Albuquerque = $108,096, Hobbs = $103,458), job availability (40 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nuclear medicine technologists earn in Albuquerque vs Hobbs?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nuclear medicine technologists earn $78,531 in Albuquerque and $74,285 in Hobbs. The Albuquerque area offers higher starting salaries.
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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.

Clinically reviewed by David Martinez, BS, CNMTData verified by Fatima Nasir, MS, CNMT

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 4.96% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

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