Nuclear Med Tech Salary

Madison vs Milwaukee: Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare nuclear medicine technologist salaries between Madison, WI and Milwaukee, WI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Madison, WI
$104,771
$50.37/hr
Milwaukee, WI
$110,680
$53.21/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMadison, WIMilwaukee, WI
Median Salary$104,771$110,680
Hourly Rate$50.37$53.21
Entry Level (P10)$84,661$84,808
25th Percentile$84,661$90,927
75th Percentile$108,906$122,835
Top Earner (P90)$122,100$129,552
Total Employed40110
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Madison ($104,771) and Milwaukee ($110,680) nuclear medicine technologist salaries.MadisonMilwaukeeMedian Salary$104,771$110,680Entry Level (P10)$84,661$84,808Top Earner (P90)$122,100$129,552US Median $106,398

Verdict

Milwaukee, WI offers better overall compensation for nuclear medicine technologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Madison.

The salary gap between Madison and Milwaukee is $5,909 (5.64%). Milwaukee's median is +4.02% compared to the US national median of $106,398.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Madison spans $37,439,Milwaukee spans $44,744. Milwaukee has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced nuclear medicine technologists.

Madison
P10 (Entry)$84,661
P25$84,661
Median$104,771
P75$108,906
P90 (Top)$122,100
Milwaukee
P10 (Entry)$84,808
P25$90,927
Median$110,680
P75$122,835
P90 (Top)$129,552

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Milwaukee ($114,177 effective) pays 6.02% more than Madison ($107,693 effective).

Madison
Nominal: $104,771
CoL Index: 97.287
Adjusted: $107,693
Milwaukee
Nominal: $110,680
CoL Index: 96.937
Adjusted: $114,177

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Madison if…

  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Choose Milwaukee if…

  • Higher median salary ($110,680/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($129,552)
  • Larger job market (110 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $114,177)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nuclear medicine technologist salaries in Madison grew 20.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 25.5% growth in Milwaukee over the same period.

Madison, WI

+20.5%

$82,810 (2019) → $99,820 (2025)

Milwaukee, WI

+25.5%

$84,030 (2019) → $105,450 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nuclear medicine technologists more: Madison or Milwaukee?

Milwaukee has a higher median nuclear medicine technologist salary at $110,680/year, compared to Madison at $104,771/year — a difference of $5,909 (5.64%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Madison and Milwaukee?

Madison nuclear medicine technologists earn $50.37/hr while Milwaukee hygienists earn $53.21/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Madison to Milwaukee as a nuclear medicine technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Madison and Milwaukee. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Madison = $107,693, Milwaukee = $114,177), job availability (40 vs 110 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nuclear medicine technologists earn in Madison vs Milwaukee?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nuclear medicine technologists earn $84,661 in Madison and $84,808 in Milwaukee. The Milwaukee 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