Nuclear Med Tech Salary

Bear vs Wilmington: Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare nuclear medicine technologist salaries between Bear, DE and Wilmington, DE. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Bear, DE
$98,975
$47.59/hr
Wilmington, DE
$109,379
$52.58/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBear, DEWilmington, DE
Median Salary$98,975$109,379
Hourly Rate$47.59$52.58
Entry Level (P10)$80,556$83,262
25th Percentile$86,170$92,012
75th Percentile$109,465$124,456
Top Earner (P90)$120,012$140,568
Total Employed610
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Bear ($98,975) and Wilmington ($109,379) nuclear medicine technologist salaries.BearWilmingtonMedian Salary$98,975$109,379Entry Level (P10)$80,556$83,262Top Earner (P90)$120,012$140,568US Median $106,398

Verdict

Wilmington, DE offers better overall compensation for nuclear medicine technologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Bear.

The salary gap between Bear and Wilmington is $10,404 (10.51%). Wilmington's median is +2.80% compared to the US national median of $106,398.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Bear spans $39,456,Wilmington spans $57,306. Wilmington has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced nuclear medicine technologists.

Bear
P10 (Entry)$80,556
P25$86,170
Median$98,975
P75$109,465
P90 (Top)$120,012
Wilmington
P10 (Entry)$83,262
P25$92,012
Median$109,379
P75$124,456
P90 (Top)$140,568

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Wilmington ($107,551 effective) pays 10.51% more than Bear ($97,321 effective).

Bear
Nominal: $98,975
CoL Index: 101.7
Adjusted: $97,321
Wilmington
Nominal: $109,379
CoL Index: 101.7
Adjusted: $107,551

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Bear if…

  • You prefer the Delaware area and lifestyle

Choose Wilmington if…

  • Higher median salary ($109,379/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($140,568)
  • Larger job market (10 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $107,551)
  • You prefer the Delaware area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nuclear medicine technologist salaries in Bear grew 2.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 8.3% growth in Wilmington over the same period.

Bear, DE

+2.9%

$91,613 (2024) → $94,298 (2025)

Wilmington, DE

+8.3%

$96,259 (2024) → $104,210 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nuclear medicine technologists more: Bear or Wilmington?

Wilmington has a higher median nuclear medicine technologist salary at $109,379/year, compared to Bear at $98,975/year — a difference of $10,404 (10.51%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Bear and Wilmington?

Bear nuclear medicine technologists earn $47.59/hr while Wilmington hygienists earn $52.58/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Bear to Wilmington as a nuclear medicine technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Bear and Wilmington. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Bear = $97,321, Wilmington = $107,551), job availability (6 vs 10 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nuclear medicine technologists earn in Bear vs Wilmington?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nuclear medicine technologists earn $80,556 in Bear and $83,262 in Wilmington. The Wilmington 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