Nuclear Med Tech Salary

Clarksville vs Knoxville: Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare nuclear medicine technologist salaries between Clarksville, TN and Knoxville, TN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Clarksville, TN
$96,595
$46.44/hr
Knoxville, TN
$86,718
$41.69/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricClarksville, TNKnoxville, TN
Median Salary$96,595$86,718
Hourly Rate$46.44$41.69
Entry Level (P10)$73,919$70,050
25th Percentile$81,844$80,053
75th Percentile$114,403$100,205
Top Earner (P90)$132,848$113,378
Total Employed3060
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Clarksville ($96,595) and Knoxville ($86,718) nuclear medicine technologist salaries.ClarksvilleKnoxvilleMedian Salary$96,595$86,718Entry Level (P10)$73,919$70,050Top Earner (P90)$132,848$113,378US Median $106,398

Verdict

Clarksville, TN offers better overall compensation for nuclear medicine technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Knoxville.

The salary gap between Clarksville and Knoxville is $9,877 (11.39%). Clarksville's median is -9.21% compared to the US national median of $106,398.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Clarksville spans $58,929,Knoxville spans $43,328. Clarksville has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Clarksville
P10 (Entry)$73,919
P25$81,844
Median$96,595
P75$114,403
P90 (Top)$132,848
Knoxville
P10 (Entry)$70,050
P25$80,053
Median$86,718
P75$100,205
P90 (Top)$113,378

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Clarksville ($105,223 effective) pays 12.32% more than Knoxville ($93,679 effective).

Clarksville
Nominal: $96,595
CoL Index: 91.8
Adjusted: $105,223
Knoxville
Nominal: $86,718
CoL Index: 92.569
Adjusted: $93,679

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Clarksville if…

  • Higher median salary ($96,595/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($132,848)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $105,223)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Choose Knoxville if…

  • Larger job market (60 employed)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nuclear medicine technologist salaries in Clarksville grew 23.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 21.4% growth in Knoxville over the same period.

Clarksville, TN

+23.6%

$74,444 (2024) → $92,030 (2025)

Knoxville, TN

+21.4%

$68,050 (2019) → $82,620 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nuclear medicine technologists more: Clarksville or Knoxville?

Clarksville has a higher median nuclear medicine technologist salary at $96,595/year, compared to Knoxville at $86,718/year — a difference of $9,877 (11.39%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Clarksville and Knoxville?

Clarksville nuclear medicine technologists earn $46.44/hr while Knoxville hygienists earn $41.69/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Clarksville to Knoxville as a nuclear medicine technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Clarksville and Knoxville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Clarksville = $105,223, Knoxville = $93,679), job availability (30 vs 60 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nuclear medicine technologists earn in Clarksville vs Knoxville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nuclear medicine technologists earn $73,919 in Clarksville and $70,050 in Knoxville. The Clarksville 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