Nuclear Med Tech Salary

Cleveland vs Dayton: Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary (2026)

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

Cleveland, OH
$104,330
$50.16/hr
Dayton, OH
$105,023
$50.50/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCleveland, OHDayton, OH
Median Salary$104,330$105,023
Hourly Rate$50.16$50.50
Entry Level (P10)$85,280$83,989
25th Percentile$92,134$93,079
75th Percentile$108,088$105,653
Top Earner (P90)$111,572$106,734
Total Employed17050
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cleveland ($104,330) and Dayton ($105,023) nuclear medicine technologist salaries.ClevelandDaytonMedian Salary$104,330$105,023Entry Level (P10)$85,280$83,989Top Earner (P90)$111,572$106,734US Median $106,398

Verdict

Cleveland and Dayton are closely matched on overall nuclear medicine technologist compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Cleveland and Dayton is $693 (0.66%). Dayton's median is -1.29% compared to the US national median of $106,398.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Cleveland spans $26,292,Dayton spans $22,745. Cleveland has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Cleveland
P10 (Entry)$85,280
P25$92,134
Median$104,330
P75$108,088
P90 (Top)$111,572
Dayton
P10 (Entry)$83,989
P25$93,079
Median$105,023
P75$105,653
P90 (Top)$106,734

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Dayton ($113,301 effective) pays 2.00% more than Cleveland ($111,080 effective).

Cleveland
Nominal: $104,330
CoL Index: 93.923
Adjusted: $111,080
Dayton
Nominal: $105,023
CoL Index: 92.694
Adjusted: $113,301

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Cleveland if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($111,572)
  • Larger job market (170 employed)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Dayton if…

  • Higher median salary ($105,023/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $113,301)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nuclear medicine technologist salaries in Cleveland grew 28.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 38.3% growth in Dayton over the same period.

Cleveland, OH

+28.9%

$77,140 (2019) → $99,400 (2025)

Dayton, OH

+38.3%

$72,350 (2019) → $100,060 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nuclear medicine technologists more: Cleveland or Dayton?

Dayton has a higher median nuclear medicine technologist salary at $105,023/year, compared to Cleveland at $104,330/year — a difference of $693 (0.66%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cleveland and Dayton?

Cleveland nuclear medicine technologists earn $50.16/hr while Dayton hygienists earn $50.50/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Cleveland to Dayton as a nuclear medicine technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cleveland and Dayton. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cleveland = $111,080, Dayton = $113,301), job availability (170 vs 50 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nuclear medicine technologists earn in Cleveland vs Dayton?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nuclear medicine technologists earn $85,280 in Cleveland and $83,989 in Dayton. The Cleveland 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