Nuclear Med Tech Salary

Louisville vs Owensboro: Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare nuclear medicine technologist salaries between Louisville, KY and Owensboro, KY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Louisville, KY
$103,587
$49.80/hr
Owensboro, KY
$95,790
$46.06/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLouisville, KYOwensboro, KY
Median Salary$103,587$95,790
Hourly Rate$49.80$46.06
Entry Level (P10)$73,797$73,113
25th Percentile$84,118$80,728
75th Percentile$122,052$108,995
Top Earner (P90)$142,095$123,594
Total Employed13214
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Louisville ($103,587) and Owensboro ($95,790) nuclear medicine technologist salaries.LouisvilleOwensboroMedian Salary$103,587$95,790Entry Level (P10)$73,797$73,113Top Earner (P90)$142,095$123,594US Median $106,398

Verdict

Louisville, KY offers better overall compensation for nuclear medicine technologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Owensboro.

The salary gap between Louisville and Owensboro is $7,797 (8.14%). Louisville's median is -2.64% compared to the US national median of $106,398.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Louisville spans $68,298,Owensboro spans $50,481. Louisville has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Louisville
P10 (Entry)$73,797
P25$84,118
Median$103,587
P75$122,052
P90 (Top)$142,095
Owensboro
P10 (Entry)$73,113
P25$80,728
Median$95,790
P75$108,995
P90 (Top)$123,594

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Louisville ($115,999 effective) pays 8.14% more than Owensboro ($107,268 effective).

Louisville
Nominal: $103,587
CoL Index: 89.3
Adjusted: $115,999
Owensboro
Nominal: $95,790
CoL Index: 89.3
Adjusted: $107,268

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Louisville if…

  • Higher median salary ($103,587/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($142,095)
  • Larger job market (132 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $115,999)
  • You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle

Choose Owensboro if…

  • You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

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

Louisville, KY

+26.7%

$77,887 (2024) → $98,692 (2025)

Owensboro, KY

+26.7%

$72,024 (2024) → $91,263 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nuclear medicine technologists more: Louisville or Owensboro?

Louisville has a higher median nuclear medicine technologist salary at $103,587/year, compared to Owensboro at $95,790/year — a difference of $7,797 (8.14%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Louisville and Owensboro?

Louisville nuclear medicine technologists earn $49.80/hr while Owensboro hygienists earn $46.06/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Louisville to Owensboro as a nuclear medicine technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Louisville and Owensboro. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Louisville = $115,999, Owensboro = $107,268), job availability (132 vs 14 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nuclear medicine technologists earn in Louisville vs Owensboro?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nuclear medicine technologists earn $73,797 in Louisville and $73,113 in Owensboro. The Louisville 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