Nuclear Med Tech Salary

Bay City vs Detroit: Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare nuclear medicine technologist salaries between Bay City, MI and Detroit, MI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Bay City, MI
$98,439
$47.33/hr
Detroit, MI
$103,029
$49.53/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBay City, MIDetroit, MI
Median Salary$98,439$103,029
Hourly Rate$47.33$49.53
Entry Level (P10)$78,278$78,720
25th Percentile$84,838$89,856
75th Percentile$110,902$105,663
Top Earner (P90)$124,165$106,482
Total Employed8300
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Bay City ($98,439) and Detroit ($103,029) nuclear medicine technologist salaries.Bay CityDetroitMedian Salary$98,439$103,029Entry Level (P10)$78,278$78,720Top Earner (P90)$124,165$106,482US Median $106,398

Verdict

Detroit, MI offers better overall compensation for nuclear medicine technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Bay City.

The salary gap between Bay City and Detroit is $4,590 (4.66%). Detroit's median is -3.17% compared to the US national median of $106,398.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Bay City spans $45,887,Detroit spans $27,762. Bay City has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Bay City
P10 (Entry)$78,278
P25$84,838
Median$98,439
P75$110,902
P90 (Top)$124,165
Detroit
P10 (Entry)$78,720
P25$89,856
Median$103,029
P75$105,663
P90 (Top)$106,482

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Bay City ($105,621 effective) pays 2.82% more than Detroit ($102,723 effective).

Bay City
Nominal: $98,439
CoL Index: 93.2
Adjusted: $105,621
Detroit
Nominal: $103,029
CoL Index: 100.298
Adjusted: $102,723

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Bay City if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($124,165)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $105,621)
  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Choose Detroit if…

  • Higher median salary ($103,029/year)
  • Larger job market (300 employed)
  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nuclear medicine technologist salaries in Bay City grew 12.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 33.2% growth in Detroit over the same period.

Bay City, MI

+12.6%

$83,268 (2024) → $93,787 (2025)

Detroit, MI

+33.2%

$73,720 (2019) → $98,160 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nuclear medicine technologists more: Bay City or Detroit?

Detroit has a higher median nuclear medicine technologist salary at $103,029/year, compared to Bay City at $98,439/year — a difference of $4,590 (4.66%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Bay City and Detroit?

Bay City nuclear medicine technologists earn $47.33/hr while Detroit hygienists earn $49.53/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Bay City to Detroit as a nuclear medicine technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Bay City and Detroit. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Bay City = $105,621, Detroit = $102,723), job availability (8 vs 300 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nuclear medicine technologists earn in Bay City vs Detroit?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nuclear medicine technologists earn $78,278 in Bay City and $78,720 in Detroit. The Detroit area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

AC

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