Nuclear Med Tech Salary

Brighton vs Denver: Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare nuclear medicine technologist salaries between Brighton, CO and Denver, CO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Brighton, CO
$106,490
$51.20/hr
Denver, CO
$123,968
$59.60/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBrighton, CODenver, CO
Median Salary$106,490$123,968
Hourly Rate$51.20$59.60
Entry Level (P10)$86,311$99,890
25th Percentile$92,981$111,111
75th Percentile$123,437$133,289
Top Earner (P90)$140,005$138,537
Total Employed7100
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Brighton ($106,490) and Denver ($123,968) nuclear medicine technologist salaries.BrightonDenverMedian Salary$106,490$123,968Entry Level (P10)$86,311$99,890Top Earner (P90)$140,005$138,537US Median $106,398

Verdict

Denver, CO offers better overall compensation for nuclear medicine technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Brighton.

The salary gap between Brighton and Denver is $17,478 (16.41%). Denver's median is +16.51% compared to the US national median of $106,398.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Brighton spans $53,694,Denver spans $38,647. Brighton has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Brighton
P10 (Entry)$86,311
P25$92,981
Median$106,490
P75$123,437
P90 (Top)$140,005
Denver
P10 (Entry)$99,890
P25$111,111
Median$123,968
P75$133,289
P90 (Top)$138,537

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Denver ($117,192 effective) pays 15.55% more than Brighton ($101,419 effective).

Brighton
Nominal: $106,490
CoL Index: 105
Adjusted: $101,419
Denver
Nominal: $123,968
CoL Index: 105.782
Adjusted: $117,192

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Brighton if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($140,005)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Choose Denver if…

  • Higher median salary ($123,968/year)
  • Larger job market (100 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $117,192)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nuclear medicine technologist salaries in Brighton grew -0.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 41.4% growth in Denver over the same period.

Brighton, CO

+-0.6%

$102,088 (2024) → $101,458 (2025)

Denver, CO

+41.4%

$83,500 (2019) → $118,110 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nuclear medicine technologists more: Brighton or Denver?

Denver has a higher median nuclear medicine technologist salary at $123,968/year, compared to Brighton at $106,490/year — a difference of $17,478 (16.41%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Brighton and Denver?

Brighton nuclear medicine technologists earn $51.20/hr while Denver hygienists earn $59.60/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Brighton to Denver as a nuclear medicine technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Brighton and Denver. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Brighton = $101,419, Denver = $117,192), job availability (7 vs 100 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nuclear medicine technologists earn in Brighton vs Denver?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nuclear medicine technologists earn $86,311 in Brighton and $99,890 in Denver. The Denver area offers higher starting salaries.
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