Nuclear Med Tech Salary

Knoxville vs La Vergne: Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare nuclear medicine technologist salaries between Knoxville, TN and La Vergne, TN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Knoxville, TN
$86,718
$41.69/hr
La Vergne, TN
$93,284
$44.85/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricKnoxville, TNLa Vergne, TN
Median Salary$86,718$93,284
Hourly Rate$41.69$44.85
Entry Level (P10)$70,050$75,902
25th Percentile$80,053$81,668
75th Percentile$100,205$106,330
Top Earner (P90)$113,378$119,689
Total Employed608
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Knoxville ($86,718) and La Vergne ($93,284) nuclear medicine technologist salaries.KnoxvilleLa VergneMedian Salary$86,718$93,284Entry Level (P10)$70,050$75,902Top Earner (P90)$113,378$119,689US Median $106,398

Verdict

La Vergne, TN offers better overall compensation for nuclear medicine technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Knoxville.

The salary gap between Knoxville and La Vergne is $6,566 (7.57%). La Vergne's median is -12.33% compared to the US national median of $106,398.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Knoxville spans $43,328,La Vergne spans $43,787. La Vergne has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced nuclear medicine technologists.

Knoxville
P10 (Entry)$70,050
P25$80,053
Median$86,718
P75$100,205
P90 (Top)$113,378
La Vergne
P10 (Entry)$75,902
P25$81,668
Median$93,284
P75$106,330
P90 (Top)$119,689

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, La Vergne ($101,617 effective) pays 8.47% more than Knoxville ($93,679 effective).

Knoxville
Nominal: $86,718
CoL Index: 92.569
Adjusted: $93,679
La Vergne
Nominal: $93,284
CoL Index: 91.8
Adjusted: $101,617

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Knoxville if…

  • Larger job market (60 employed)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Choose La Vergne if…

  • Higher median salary ($93,284/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($119,689)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $101,617)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nuclear medicine technologist salaries in Knoxville grew 21.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 23.6% growth in La Vergne over the same period.

Knoxville, TN

+21.4%

$68,050 (2019) → $82,620 (2025)

La Vergne, TN

+23.6%

$71,893 (2024) → $88,876 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nuclear medicine technologists more: Knoxville or La Vergne?

La Vergne has a higher median nuclear medicine technologist salary at $93,284/year, compared to Knoxville at $86,718/year — a difference of $6,566 (7.57%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Knoxville and La Vergne?

Knoxville nuclear medicine technologists earn $41.69/hr while La Vergne hygienists earn $44.85/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Knoxville to La Vergne as a nuclear medicine technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Knoxville and La Vergne. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Knoxville = $93,679, La Vergne = $101,617), job availability (60 vs 8 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nuclear medicine technologists earn in Knoxville vs La Vergne?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nuclear medicine technologists earn $70,050 in Knoxville and $75,902 in La Vergne. The La Vergne 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