Nuclear Med Tech Salary

Covington vs Louisville: Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare nuclear medicine technologist salaries between Covington, KY and Louisville, KY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Covington, KY
$93,751
$45.07/hr
Louisville, KY
$103,587
$49.80/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCovington, KYLouisville, KY
Median Salary$93,751$103,587
Hourly Rate$45.07$49.80
Entry Level (P10)$73,598$73,797
25th Percentile$80,094$84,118
75th Percentile$105,081$122,052
Top Earner (P90)$116,898$142,095
Total Employed9132
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Covington ($93,751) and Louisville ($103,587) nuclear medicine technologist salaries.CovingtonLouisvilleMedian Salary$93,751$103,587Entry Level (P10)$73,598$73,797Top Earner (P90)$116,898$142,095US Median $106,398

Verdict

Louisville, KY offers better overall compensation for nuclear medicine technologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Covington.

The salary gap between Covington and Louisville is $9,836 (10.49%). Louisville's median is -2.64% compared to the US national median of $106,398.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Covington spans $43,300,Louisville spans $68,298. Louisville has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced nuclear medicine technologists.

Covington
P10 (Entry)$73,598
P25$80,094
Median$93,751
P75$105,081
P90 (Top)$116,898
Louisville
P10 (Entry)$73,797
P25$84,118
Median$103,587
P75$122,052
P90 (Top)$142,095

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Louisville ($115,999 effective) pays 10.49% more than Covington ($104,984 effective).

Covington
Nominal: $93,751
CoL Index: 89.3
Adjusted: $104,984
Louisville
Nominal: $103,587
CoL Index: 89.3
Adjusted: $115,999

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Covington if…

  • You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle

Choose Louisville if…

  • Higher median salary ($103,587/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($142,095)
  • Larger job market (132 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $115,999)
  • You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nuclear medicine technologist salaries in Covington grew 26.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 26.7% growth in Louisville over the same period.

Covington, KY

+26.7%

$70,491 (2024) → $89,321 (2025)

Louisville, KY

+26.7%

$77,887 (2024) → $98,692 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nuclear medicine technologists more: Covington or Louisville?

Louisville has a higher median nuclear medicine technologist salary at $103,587/year, compared to Covington at $93,751/year — a difference of $9,836 (10.49%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Covington and Louisville?

Covington nuclear medicine technologists earn $45.07/hr while Louisville hygienists earn $49.80/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Covington to Louisville as a nuclear medicine technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Covington and Louisville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Covington = $104,984, Louisville = $115,999), job availability (9 vs 132 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nuclear medicine technologists earn in Covington vs Louisville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nuclear medicine technologists earn $73,598 in Covington and $73,797 in Louisville. The Louisville 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