Nuclear Med Tech Salary

Atlanta vs Smyrna: Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare nuclear medicine technologist salaries between Atlanta, GA and Smyrna, GA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Atlanta, GA
$109,053
$52.43/hr
Smyrna, GA
$95,881
$46.10/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAtlanta, GASmyrna, GA
Median Salary$109,053$95,881
Hourly Rate$52.43$46.10
Entry Level (P10)$88,912$74,619
25th Percentile$103,249$81,881
75th Percentile$115,645$110,322
Top Earner (P90)$133,814$125,261
Total Employed3109
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Atlanta ($109,053) and Smyrna ($95,881) nuclear medicine technologist salaries.AtlantaSmyrnaMedian Salary$109,053$95,881Entry Level (P10)$88,912$74,619Top Earner (P90)$133,814$125,261US Median $106,398

Verdict

Atlanta, GA offers better overall compensation for nuclear medicine technologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Smyrna.

The salary gap between Atlanta and Smyrna is $13,172 (13.74%). Atlanta's median is +2.50% compared to the US national median of $106,398.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Atlanta spans $44,902,Smyrna spans $50,642. Smyrna has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced nuclear medicine technologists.

Atlanta
P10 (Entry)$88,912
P25$103,249
Median$109,053
P75$115,645
P90 (Top)$133,814
Smyrna
P10 (Entry)$74,619
P25$81,881
Median$95,881
P75$110,322
P90 (Top)$125,261

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Atlanta ($108,990 effective) pays 5.83% more than Smyrna ($102,987 effective).

Atlanta
Nominal: $109,053
CoL Index: 100.058
Adjusted: $108,990
Smyrna
Nominal: $95,881
CoL Index: 93.1
Adjusted: $102,987

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Atlanta if…

  • Higher median salary ($109,053/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($133,814)
  • Larger job market (310 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $108,990)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Choose Smyrna if…

  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nuclear medicine technologist salaries in Atlanta grew 30.2% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 15.2% growth in Smyrna over the same period.

Atlanta, GA

+30.2%

$79,780 (2019) → $103,900 (2025)

Smyrna, GA

+15.2%

$79,302 (2024) → $91,350 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nuclear medicine technologists more: Atlanta or Smyrna?

Atlanta has a higher median nuclear medicine technologist salary at $109,053/year, compared to Smyrna at $95,881/year — a difference of $13,172 (13.74%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Atlanta and Smyrna?

Atlanta nuclear medicine technologists earn $52.43/hr while Smyrna hygienists earn $46.10/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Atlanta to Smyrna as a nuclear medicine technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Atlanta and Smyrna. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Atlanta = $108,990, Smyrna = $102,987), job availability (310 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nuclear medicine technologists earn in Atlanta vs Smyrna?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nuclear medicine technologists earn $88,912 in Atlanta and $74,619 in Smyrna. The Atlanta area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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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