Nuclear Med Tech Salary

Madison vs West Bend: Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary (2026)

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

Madison, WI
$104,771
$50.37/hr
West Bend, WI
$97,648
$46.95/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMadison, WIWest Bend, WI
Median Salary$104,771$97,648
Hourly Rate$50.37$46.95
Entry Level (P10)$84,661$75,871
25th Percentile$84,661$82,919
75th Percentile$108,906$108,876
Top Earner (P90)$122,100$120,939
Total Employed405
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Madison ($104,771) and West Bend ($97,648) nuclear medicine technologist salaries.MadisonWest BendMedian Salary$104,771$97,648Entry Level (P10)$84,661$75,871Top Earner (P90)$122,100$120,939US Median $106,398

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Madison and West Bend is $7,123 (7.29%). Madison's median is -1.53% 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,West Bend spans $45,068. West Bend 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
West Bend
P10 (Entry)$75,871
P25$82,919
Median$97,648
P75$108,876
P90 (Top)$120,939

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Madison ($107,693 effective) pays 3.01% more than West Bend ($104,548 effective).

Madison
Nominal: $104,771
CoL Index: 97.287
Adjusted: $107,693
West Bend
Nominal: $97,648
CoL Index: 93.4
Adjusted: $104,548

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Madison if…

  • Higher median salary ($104,771/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($122,100)
  • Larger job market (40 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $107,693)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Choose West Bend if…

  • 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 12.6% growth in West Bend over the same period.

Madison, WI

+20.5%

$82,810 (2019) → $99,820 (2025)

West Bend, WI

+12.6%

$82,598 (2024) → $93,034 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nuclear medicine technologists more: Madison or West Bend?

Madison has a higher median nuclear medicine technologist salary at $104,771/year, compared to West Bend at $97,648/year — a difference of $7,123 (7.29%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Madison and West Bend?

Madison nuclear medicine technologists earn $50.37/hr while West Bend hygienists earn $46.95/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Madison and West Bend. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Madison = $107,693, West Bend = $104,548), job availability (40 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) nuclear medicine technologists earn $84,661 in Madison and $75,871 in West Bend. The Madison 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