Nuclear Med Tech Salary

Cincinnati vs Columbus: Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare nuclear medicine technologist salaries between Cincinnati, OH and Columbus, OH. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Cincinnati, OH
$102,745
$49.39/hr
Columbus, OH
$108,644
$52.23/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCincinnati, OHColumbus, OH
Median Salary$102,745$108,644
Hourly Rate$49.39$52.23
Entry Level (P10)$83,223$85,847
25th Percentile$89,531$96,637
75th Percentile$108,266$110,575
Top Earner (P90)$111,824$118,101
Total Employed130100
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cincinnati ($102,745) and Columbus ($108,644) nuclear medicine technologist salaries.CincinnatiColumbusMedian Salary$102,745$108,644Entry Level (P10)$83,223$85,847Top Earner (P90)$111,824$118,101US Median $106,398

Verdict

Columbus, OH offers better overall compensation for nuclear medicine technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Cincinnati.

The salary gap between Cincinnati and Columbus is $5,899 (5.74%). Columbus's median is +2.11% compared to the US national median of $106,398.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Cincinnati spans $28,601,Columbus spans $32,254. Columbus has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced nuclear medicine technologists.

Cincinnati
P10 (Entry)$83,223
P25$89,531
Median$102,745
P75$108,266
P90 (Top)$111,824
Columbus
P10 (Entry)$85,847
P25$96,637
Median$108,644
P75$110,575
P90 (Top)$118,101

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Columbus ($113,800 effective) pays 5.63% more than Cincinnati ($107,733 effective).

Cincinnati
Nominal: $102,745
CoL Index: 95.37
Adjusted: $107,733
Columbus
Nominal: $108,644
CoL Index: 95.469
Adjusted: $113,800

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Cincinnati if…

  • Larger job market (130 employed)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Columbus if…

  • Higher median salary ($108,644/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($118,101)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $113,800)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nuclear medicine technologist salaries in Cincinnati grew 32.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 42.3% growth in Columbus over the same period.

Cincinnati, OH

+32.4%

$73,920 (2019) → $97,890 (2025)

Columbus, OH

+42.3%

$72,720 (2019) → $103,510 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nuclear medicine technologists more: Cincinnati or Columbus?

Columbus has a higher median nuclear medicine technologist salary at $108,644/year, compared to Cincinnati at $102,745/year — a difference of $5,899 (5.74%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cincinnati and Columbus?

Cincinnati nuclear medicine technologists earn $49.39/hr while Columbus hygienists earn $52.23/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Cincinnati to Columbus as a nuclear medicine technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cincinnati and Columbus. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cincinnati = $107,733, Columbus = $113,800), job availability (130 vs 100 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nuclear medicine technologists earn in Cincinnati vs Columbus?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nuclear medicine technologists earn $83,223 in Cincinnati and $85,847 in Columbus. The Columbus area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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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