Nuclear Med Tech Salary

Houston vs Lancaster: Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare nuclear medicine technologist salaries between Houston, TX and Lancaster, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Houston, TX
$112,549
$54.12/hr
Lancaster, TX
$99,026
$47.61/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHouston, TXLancaster, TX
Median Salary$112,549$99,026
Hourly Rate$54.12$47.61
Entry Level (P10)$98,526$74,838
25th Percentile$101,717$88,491
75th Percentile$121,103$114,615
Top Earner (P90)$133,761$129,914
Total Employed3208
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Houston ($112,549) and Lancaster ($99,026) nuclear medicine technologist salaries.HoustonLancasterMedian Salary$112,549$99,026Entry Level (P10)$98,526$74,838Top Earner (P90)$133,761$129,914US Median $106,398

Verdict

Houston, TX offers better overall compensation for nuclear medicine technologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Lancaster.

The salary gap between Houston and Lancaster is $13,523 (13.66%). Houston's median is +5.78% compared to the US national median of $106,398.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Houston spans $35,235,Lancaster spans $55,076. Lancaster has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced nuclear medicine technologists.

Houston
P10 (Entry)$98,526
P25$101,717
Median$112,549
P75$121,103
P90 (Top)$133,761
Lancaster
P10 (Entry)$74,838
P25$88,491
Median$99,026
P75$114,615
P90 (Top)$129,914

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Houston ($114,113 effective) pays 10.63% more than Lancaster ($103,152 effective).

Houston
Nominal: $112,549
CoL Index: 98.629
Adjusted: $114,113
Lancaster
Nominal: $99,026
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $103,152

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Houston if…

  • Higher median salary ($112,549/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($133,761)
  • Larger job market (320 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $114,113)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Lancaster if…

  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nuclear medicine technologist salaries in Houston grew 34.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 10.2% growth in Lancaster over the same period.

Houston, TX

+34.1%

$79,970 (2019) → $107,230 (2025)

Lancaster, TX

+10.2%

$85,626 (2024) → $94,346 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nuclear medicine technologists more: Houston or Lancaster?

Houston has a higher median nuclear medicine technologist salary at $112,549/year, compared to Lancaster at $99,026/year — a difference of $13,523 (13.66%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Houston and Lancaster?

Houston nuclear medicine technologists earn $54.12/hr while Lancaster hygienists earn $47.61/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Houston to Lancaster as a nuclear medicine technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Houston and Lancaster. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Houston = $114,113, Lancaster = $103,152), job availability (320 vs 8 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nuclear medicine technologists earn in Houston vs Lancaster?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nuclear medicine technologists earn $98,526 in Houston and $74,838 in Lancaster. The Houston 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