Nuclear Med Tech Salary

Lawton vs Ponca City: Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare nuclear medicine technologist salaries between Lawton, OK and Ponca City, OK. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Lawton, OK
$93,084
$44.75/hr
Ponca City, OK
$87,878
$42.25/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLawton, OKPonca City, OK
Median Salary$93,084$87,878
Hourly Rate$44.75$42.25
Entry Level (P10)$74,491$74,347
25th Percentile$81,316$78,563
75th Percentile$108,784$98,991
Top Earner (P90)$124,884$109,887
Total Employed134
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Lawton ($93,084) and Ponca City ($87,878) nuclear medicine technologist salaries.LawtonPonca CityMedian Salary$93,084$87,878Entry Level (P10)$74,491$74,347Top Earner (P90)$124,884$109,887US Median $106,398

Verdict

Lawton, OK offers better overall compensation for nuclear medicine technologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Ponca City.

The salary gap between Lawton and Ponca City is $5,206 (5.92%). Lawton's median is -12.51% compared to the US national median of $106,398.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Lawton spans $50,393,Ponca City spans $35,540. Lawton has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Lawton
P10 (Entry)$74,491
P25$81,316
Median$93,084
P75$108,784
P90 (Top)$124,884
Ponca City
P10 (Entry)$74,347
P25$78,563
Median$87,878
P75$98,991
P90 (Top)$109,887

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Lawton ($104,706 effective) pays 5.92% more than Ponca City ($98,850 effective).

Lawton
Nominal: $93,084
CoL Index: 88.9
Adjusted: $104,706
Ponca City
Nominal: $87,878
CoL Index: 88.9
Adjusted: $98,850

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Lawton if…

  • Higher median salary ($93,084/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($124,884)
  • Larger job market (13 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $104,706)
  • You prefer the Oklahoma area and lifestyle

Choose Ponca City if…

  • You prefer the Oklahoma area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

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

Lawton, OK

+26.7%

$69,989 (2024) → $88,685 (2025)

Ponca City, OK

+26.7%

$66,075 (2024) → $83,725 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nuclear medicine technologists more: Lawton or Ponca City?

Lawton has a higher median nuclear medicine technologist salary at $93,084/year, compared to Ponca City at $87,878/year — a difference of $5,206 (5.92%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Lawton and Ponca City?

Lawton nuclear medicine technologists earn $44.75/hr while Ponca City hygienists earn $42.25/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Lawton to Ponca City as a nuclear medicine technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Lawton and Ponca City. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Lawton = $104,706, Ponca City = $98,850), job availability (13 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nuclear medicine technologists earn in Lawton vs Ponca City?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nuclear medicine technologists earn $74,491 in Lawton and $74,347 in Ponca City. The Lawton area offers higher starting salaries.
AC

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