Nuclear Med Tech Salary

Fort Smith vs Springdale: Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare nuclear medicine technologist salaries between Fort Smith, AR and Springdale, AR. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Fort Smith, AR
$93,582
$45.00/hr
Springdale, AR
$92,967
$44.69/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFort Smith, ARSpringdale, AR
Median Salary$93,582$92,967
Hourly Rate$45.00$44.69
Entry Level (P10)$72,028$70,555
25th Percentile$79,316$78,046
75th Percentile$108,980$107,515
Top Earner (P90)$124,909$122,838
Total Employed1514
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Fort Smith ($93,582) and Springdale ($92,967) nuclear medicine technologist salaries.Fort SmithSpringdaleMedian Salary$93,582$92,967Entry Level (P10)$72,028$70,555Top Earner (P90)$124,909$122,838US Median $106,398

Verdict

Fort Smith, AR offers better overall compensation for nuclear medicine technologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Springdale.

The salary gap between Fort Smith and Springdale is $615 (0.66%). Fort Smith's median is -12.05% compared to the US national median of $106,398.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Fort Smith spans $52,881,Springdale spans $52,283. Fort Smith has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Fort Smith
P10 (Entry)$72,028
P25$79,316
Median$93,582
P75$108,980
P90 (Top)$124,909
Springdale
P10 (Entry)$70,555
P25$78,046
Median$92,967
P75$107,515
P90 (Top)$122,838

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Fort Smith ($107,689 effective) pays 0.66% more than Springdale ($106,982 effective).

Fort Smith
Nominal: $93,582
CoL Index: 86.9
Adjusted: $107,689
Springdale
Nominal: $92,967
CoL Index: 86.9
Adjusted: $106,982

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Fort Smith if…

  • Higher median salary ($93,582/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($124,909)
  • Larger job market (15 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $107,689)
  • You prefer the Arkansas area and lifestyle

Choose Springdale if…

  • You prefer the Arkansas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nuclear medicine technologist salaries in Fort Smith grew 37.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 37.0% growth in Springdale over the same period.

Fort Smith, AR

+37.0%

$65,086 (2024) → $89,160 (2025)

Springdale, AR

+37.0%

$64,659 (2024) → $88,574 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nuclear medicine technologists more: Fort Smith or Springdale?

Fort Smith has a higher median nuclear medicine technologist salary at $93,582/year, compared to Springdale at $92,967/year — a difference of $615 (0.66%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Fort Smith and Springdale?

Fort Smith nuclear medicine technologists earn $45.00/hr while Springdale hygienists earn $44.69/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Fort Smith to Springdale as a nuclear medicine technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Fort Smith and Springdale. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Fort Smith = $107,689, Springdale = $106,982), job availability (15 vs 14 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nuclear medicine technologists earn in Fort Smith vs Springdale?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nuclear medicine technologists earn $72,028 in Fort Smith and $70,555 in Springdale. The Fort Smith area offers higher starting salaries.
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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