Nuclear Med Tech Salary

Elizabethtown vs Lexington: Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary (2026)

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

Elizabethtown, KY
$92,852
$44.64/hr
Lexington, KY
$95,503
$45.91/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricElizabethtown, KYLexington, KY
Median Salary$92,852$95,503
Hourly Rate$44.64$45.91
Entry Level (P10)$71,298$80,032
25th Percentile$78,221$87,694
75th Percentile$102,931$103,470
Top Earner (P90)$123,026$121,838
Total Employed530
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Elizabethtown ($92,852) and Lexington ($95,503) nuclear medicine technologist salaries.ElizabethtownLexingtonMedian Salary$92,852$95,503Entry Level (P10)$71,298$80,032Top Earner (P90)$123,026$121,838US Median $106,398

Verdict

Lexington, KY offers better overall compensation for nuclear medicine technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Elizabethtown.

The salary gap between Elizabethtown and Lexington is $2,651 (2.86%). Lexington's median is -10.24% compared to the US national median of $106,398.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Elizabethtown spans $51,728,Lexington spans $41,806. Elizabethtown has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Elizabethtown
P10 (Entry)$71,298
P25$78,221
Median$92,852
P75$102,931
P90 (Top)$123,026
Lexington
P10 (Entry)$80,032
P25$87,694
Median$95,503
P75$103,470
P90 (Top)$121,838

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Elizabethtown ($103,978 effective) pays 1.13% more than Lexington ($102,814 effective).

Elizabethtown
Nominal: $92,852
CoL Index: 89.3
Adjusted: $103,978
Lexington
Nominal: $95,503
CoL Index: 92.889
Adjusted: $102,814

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Elizabethtown if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($123,026)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $103,978)
  • You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle

Choose Lexington if…

  • Higher median salary ($95,503/year)
  • Larger job market (30 employed)
  • You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nuclear medicine technologist salaries in Elizabethtown grew 26.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 29.9% growth in Lexington over the same period.

Elizabethtown, KY

+26.7%

$69,815 (2024) → $88,464 (2025)

Lexington, KY

+29.9%

$70,040 (2019) → $90,990 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nuclear medicine technologists more: Elizabethtown or Lexington?

Lexington has a higher median nuclear medicine technologist salary at $95,503/year, compared to Elizabethtown at $92,852/year — a difference of $2,651 (2.86%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Elizabethtown and Lexington?

Elizabethtown nuclear medicine technologists earn $44.64/hr while Lexington hygienists earn $45.91/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Elizabethtown to Lexington as a nuclear medicine technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Elizabethtown and Lexington. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Elizabethtown = $103,978, Lexington = $102,814), job availability (5 vs 30 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nuclear medicine technologists earn in Elizabethtown vs Lexington?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nuclear medicine technologists earn $71,298 in Elizabethtown and $80,032 in Lexington. The Lexington 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