Nuclear Med Tech Salary

Jefferson City vs St. Louis: Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare nuclear medicine technologist salaries between Jefferson City, MO and St. Louis, MO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Jefferson City, MO
$90,820
$43.66/hr
St. Louis, MO
$107,238
$51.56/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricJefferson City, MOSt. Louis, MO
Median Salary$90,820$107,238
Hourly Rate$43.66$51.56
Entry Level (P10)$73,142$77,796
25th Percentile$79,236$85,805
75th Percentile$105,212$110,796
Top Earner (P90)$119,304$125,679
Total Employed8160
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Jefferson City ($90,820) and St. Louis ($107,238) nuclear medicine technologist salaries.Jefferson CitySt. LouisMedian Salary$90,820$107,238Entry Level (P10)$73,142$77,796Top Earner (P90)$119,304$125,679US Median $106,398

Verdict

St. Louis, MO offers better overall compensation for nuclear medicine technologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Jefferson City.

The salary gap between Jefferson City and St. Louis is $16,418 (18.08%). St. Louis's median is +0.79% compared to the US national median of $106,398.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Jefferson City spans $46,162,St. Louis spans $47,883. St. Louis has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced nuclear medicine technologists.

Jefferson City
P10 (Entry)$73,142
P25$79,236
Median$90,820
P75$105,212
P90 (Top)$119,304
St. Louis
P10 (Entry)$77,796
P25$85,805
Median$107,238
P75$110,796
P90 (Top)$125,679

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, St. Louis ($112,778 effective) pays 11.26% more than Jefferson City ($101,362 effective).

Jefferson City
Nominal: $90,820
CoL Index: 89.6
Adjusted: $101,362
St. Louis
Nominal: $107,238
CoL Index: 95.088
Adjusted: $112,778

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Jefferson City if…

  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Choose St. Louis if…

  • Higher median salary ($107,238/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($125,679)
  • Larger job market (160 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $112,778)
  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nuclear medicine technologist salaries in Jefferson City grew 17.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 34.7% growth in St. Louis over the same period.

Jefferson City, MO

+17.9%

$73,408 (2024) → $86,528 (2025)

St. Louis, MO

+34.7%

$75,850 (2019) → $102,170 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nuclear medicine technologists more: Jefferson City or St. Louis?

St. Louis has a higher median nuclear medicine technologist salary at $107,238/year, compared to Jefferson City at $90,820/year — a difference of $16,418 (18.08%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Jefferson City and St. Louis?

Jefferson City nuclear medicine technologists earn $43.66/hr while St. Louis hygienists earn $51.56/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Jefferson City to St. Louis as a nuclear medicine technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Jefferson City and St. Louis. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Jefferson City = $101,362, St. Louis = $112,778), job availability (8 vs 160 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nuclear medicine technologists earn in Jefferson City vs St. Louis?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nuclear medicine technologists earn $73,142 in Jefferson City and $77,796 in St. Louis. The St. Louis 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