Nuclear Med Tech Salary

Birmingham vs Huntsville: Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare nuclear medicine technologist salaries between Birmingham, AL and Huntsville, AL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Birmingham, AL
$89,951
$43.24/hr
Huntsville, AL
$87,526
$42.08/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBirmingham, ALHuntsville, AL
Median Salary$89,951$87,526
Hourly Rate$43.24$42.08
Entry Level (P10)$81,942$64,204
25th Percentile$86,456$78,143
75th Percentile$94,443$96,427
Top Earner (P90)$105,884$96,427
Total Employed9040
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Birmingham ($89,951) and Huntsville ($87,526) nuclear medicine technologist salaries.BirminghamHuntsvilleMedian Salary$89,951$87,526Entry Level (P10)$81,942$64,204Top Earner (P90)$105,884$96,427US Median $106,398

Verdict

Birmingham, AL offers better overall compensation for nuclear medicine technologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Huntsville.

The salary gap between Birmingham and Huntsville is $2,425 (2.77%). Birmingham's median is -15.46% compared to the US national median of $106,398.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Birmingham spans $23,942,Huntsville spans $32,223. Huntsville has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced nuclear medicine technologists.

Birmingham
P10 (Entry)$81,942
P25$86,456
Median$89,951
P75$94,443
P90 (Top)$105,884
Huntsville
P10 (Entry)$64,204
P25$78,143
Median$87,526
P75$96,427
P90 (Top)$96,427

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Birmingham ($98,153 effective) pays 4.37% more than Huntsville ($94,041 effective).

Birmingham
Nominal: $89,951
CoL Index: 91.644
Adjusted: $98,153
Huntsville
Nominal: $87,526
CoL Index: 93.072
Adjusted: $94,041

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Birmingham if…

  • Higher median salary ($89,951/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($105,884)
  • Larger job market (90 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $98,153)
  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Choose Huntsville if…

  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nuclear medicine technologist salaries in Birmingham grew 33.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 28.7% growth in Huntsville over the same period.

Birmingham, AL

+33.3%

$64,280 (2019) → $85,700 (2025)

Huntsville, AL

+28.7%

$64,800 (2019) → $83,390 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nuclear medicine technologists more: Birmingham or Huntsville?

Birmingham has a higher median nuclear medicine technologist salary at $89,951/year, compared to Huntsville at $87,526/year — a difference of $2,425 (2.77%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Birmingham and Huntsville?

Birmingham nuclear medicine technologists earn $43.24/hr while Huntsville hygienists earn $42.08/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Birmingham to Huntsville as a nuclear medicine technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Birmingham and Huntsville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Birmingham = $98,153, Huntsville = $94,041), job availability (90 vs 40 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nuclear medicine technologists earn in Birmingham vs Huntsville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nuclear medicine technologists earn $81,942 in Birmingham and $64,204 in Huntsville. The Birmingham 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