Nuclear Med Tech Salary

Boston vs Chelsea: Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare nuclear medicine technologist salaries between Boston, MA and Chelsea, MA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Boston, MA
$129,573
$62.29/hr
Chelsea, MA
$114,383
$54.99/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBoston, MAChelsea, MA
Median Salary$129,573$114,383
Hourly Rate$62.29$54.99
Entry Level (P10)$91,410$90,473
25th Percentile$111,405$98,312
75th Percentile$140,143$128,693
Top Earner (P90)$157,136$143,565
Total Employed2906
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Boston ($129,573) and Chelsea ($114,383) nuclear medicine technologist salaries.BostonChelseaMedian Salary$129,573$114,383Entry Level (P10)$91,410$90,473Top Earner (P90)$157,136$143,565US Median $106,398

Verdict

Boston, MA offers better overall compensation for nuclear medicine technologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Chelsea.

The salary gap between Boston and Chelsea is $15,190 (13.28%). Boston's median is +21.78% compared to the US national median of $106,398.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Boston spans $65,726,Chelsea spans $53,092. Boston has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Boston
P10 (Entry)$91,410
P25$111,405
Median$129,573
P75$140,143
P90 (Top)$157,136
Chelsea
P10 (Entry)$90,473
P25$98,312
Median$114,383
P75$128,693
P90 (Top)$143,565

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Boston ($119,680 effective) pays 13.52% more than Chelsea ($105,422 effective).

Boston
Nominal: $129,573
CoL Index: 108.266
Adjusted: $119,680
Chelsea
Nominal: $114,383
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $105,422

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Boston if…

  • Higher median salary ($129,573/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($157,136)
  • Larger job market (290 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $119,680)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Choose Chelsea if…

  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nuclear medicine technologist salaries in Boston grew 52.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -12.6% growth in Chelsea over the same period.

Boston, MA

+52.1%

$81,140 (2019) → $123,450 (2025)

Chelsea, MA

+-12.6%

$124,707 (2024) → $108,978 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nuclear medicine technologists more: Boston or Chelsea?

Boston has a higher median nuclear medicine technologist salary at $129,573/year, compared to Chelsea at $114,383/year — a difference of $15,190 (13.28%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Boston and Chelsea?

Boston nuclear medicine technologists earn $62.29/hr while Chelsea hygienists earn $54.99/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Boston to Chelsea as a nuclear medicine technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Boston and Chelsea. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Boston = $119,680, Chelsea = $105,422), job availability (290 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nuclear medicine technologists earn in Boston vs Chelsea?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nuclear medicine technologists earn $91,410 in Boston and $90,473 in Chelsea. The Boston 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