Nuclear Med Tech Salary

Columbia vs Mauldin: Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare nuclear medicine technologist salaries between Columbia, SC and Mauldin, SC. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Columbia, SC
$91,819
$44.15/hr
Mauldin, SC
$95,836
$46.08/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricColumbia, SCMauldin, SC
Median Salary$91,819$95,836
Hourly Rate$44.15$46.08
Entry Level (P10)$80,567$74,854
25th Percentile$80,977$85,303
75th Percentile$97,539$107,145
Top Earner (P90)$102,829$119,051
Total Employed606
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Columbia ($91,819) and Mauldin ($95,836) nuclear medicine technologist salaries.ColumbiaMauldinMedian Salary$91,819$95,836Entry Level (P10)$80,567$74,854Top Earner (P90)$102,829$119,051US Median $106,398

Verdict

Mauldin, SC offers better overall compensation for nuclear medicine technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Columbia.

The salary gap between Columbia and Mauldin is $4,017 (4.37%). Mauldin's median is -9.93% compared to the US national median of $106,398.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Columbia spans $22,262,Mauldin spans $44,197. Mauldin has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced nuclear medicine technologists.

Columbia
P10 (Entry)$80,567
P25$80,977
Median$91,819
P75$97,539
P90 (Top)$102,829
Mauldin
P10 (Entry)$74,854
P25$85,303
Median$95,836
P75$107,145
P90 (Top)$119,051

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Mauldin ($104,739 effective) pays 6.84% more than Columbia ($98,032 effective).

Columbia
Nominal: $91,819
CoL Index: 93.662
Adjusted: $98,032
Mauldin
Nominal: $95,836
CoL Index: 91.5
Adjusted: $104,739

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Columbia if…

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

Choose Mauldin if…

  • Higher median salary ($95,836/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($119,051)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $104,739)
  • You prefer the South Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nuclear medicine technologist salaries in Columbia grew 34.0% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 23.6% growth in Mauldin over the same period.

Columbia, SC

+34.0%

$65,260 (2019) → $87,480 (2025)

Mauldin, SC

+23.6%

$73,859 (2024) → $91,307 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nuclear medicine technologists more: Columbia or Mauldin?

Mauldin has a higher median nuclear medicine technologist salary at $95,836/year, compared to Columbia at $91,819/year — a difference of $4,017 (4.37%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Columbia and Mauldin?

Columbia nuclear medicine technologists earn $44.15/hr while Mauldin hygienists earn $46.08/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Columbia to Mauldin as a nuclear medicine technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Columbia and Mauldin. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Columbia = $98,032, Mauldin = $104,739), job availability (60 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nuclear medicine technologists earn in Columbia vs Mauldin?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nuclear medicine technologists earn $80,567 in Columbia and $74,854 in Mauldin. The Columbia 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