Nuclear Med Tech Salary

Bowling Green vs Lexington: Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare nuclear medicine technologist salaries between Bowling Green, KY and Lexington, KY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Bowling Green, KY
$94,172
$45.28/hr
Lexington, KY
$95,503
$45.91/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBowling Green, KYLexington, KY
Median Salary$94,172$95,503
Hourly Rate$45.28$45.91
Entry Level (P10)$69,287$80,032
25th Percentile$83,072$87,694
75th Percentile$110,861$103,470
Top Earner (P90)$127,685$121,838
Total Employed1330
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Bowling Green ($94,172) and Lexington ($95,503) nuclear medicine technologist salaries.Bowling GreenLexingtonMedian Salary$94,172$95,503Entry Level (P10)$69,287$80,032Top Earner (P90)$127,685$121,838US Median $106,398

Verdict

Lexington, KY offers better overall compensation for nuclear medicine technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Bowling Green.

The salary gap between Bowling Green and Lexington is $1,331 (1.41%). Lexington's median is -10.24% compared to the US national median of $106,398.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Bowling Green spans $58,398,Lexington spans $41,806. Bowling Green has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Bowling Green
P10 (Entry)$69,287
P25$83,072
Median$94,172
P75$110,861
P90 (Top)$127,685
Lexington
P10 (Entry)$80,032
P25$87,694
Median$95,503
P75$103,470
P90 (Top)$121,838

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Bowling Green ($105,456 effective) pays 2.57% more than Lexington ($102,814 effective).

Bowling Green
Nominal: $94,172
CoL Index: 89.3
Adjusted: $105,456
Lexington
Nominal: $95,503
CoL Index: 92.889
Adjusted: $102,814

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Bowling Green if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($127,685)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $105,456)
  • You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle

Choose Lexington if…

  • Higher median salary ($95,503/year)
  • Larger job market (30 employed)
  • You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nuclear medicine technologist salaries in Bowling Green grew 26.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 29.9% growth in Lexington over the same period.

Bowling Green, KY

+26.7%

$70,808 (2024) → $89,722 (2025)

Lexington, KY

+29.9%

$70,040 (2019) → $90,990 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nuclear medicine technologists more: Bowling Green or Lexington?

Lexington has a higher median nuclear medicine technologist salary at $95,503/year, compared to Bowling Green at $94,172/year — a difference of $1,331 (1.41%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Bowling Green and Lexington?

Bowling Green nuclear medicine technologists earn $45.28/hr while Lexington hygienists earn $45.91/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Bowling Green to Lexington as a nuclear medicine technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Bowling Green and Lexington. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Bowling Green = $105,456, Lexington = $102,814), job availability (13 vs 30 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nuclear medicine technologists earn in Bowling Green vs Lexington?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nuclear medicine technologists earn $69,287 in Bowling Green and $80,032 in Lexington. The Lexington 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