Nuclear Med Tech Salary

New Haven vs Waterbury: Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare nuclear medicine technologist salaries between New Haven, CT and Waterbury, CT. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

New Haven, CT
$132,229
$63.57/hr
Waterbury, CT
$114,713
$55.15/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNew Haven, CTWaterbury, CT
Median Salary$132,229$114,713
Hourly Rate$63.57$55.15
Entry Level (P10)$114,879$89,496
25th Percentile$115,760$98,579
75th Percentile$132,229$130,413
Top Earner (P90)$133,289$159,844
Total Employed3022
Side-by-side bar chart comparing New Haven ($132,229) and Waterbury ($114,713) nuclear medicine technologist salaries.New HavenWaterburyMedian Salary$132,229$114,713Entry Level (P10)$114,879$89,496Top Earner (P90)$133,289$159,844US Median $106,398

Verdict

New Haven, CT offers better overall compensation for nuclear medicine technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Waterbury.

The salary gap between New Haven and Waterbury is $17,516 (15.27%). New Haven's median is +24.28% compared to the US national median of $106,398.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in New Haven spans $18,410,Waterbury spans $70,348. Waterbury has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced nuclear medicine technologists.

New Haven
P10 (Entry)$114,879
P25$115,760
Median$132,229
P75$132,229
P90 (Top)$133,289
Waterbury
P10 (Entry)$89,496
P25$98,579
Median$114,713
P75$130,413
P90 (Top)$159,844

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, New Haven ($126,464 effective) pays 18.95% more than Waterbury ($106,314 effective).

New Haven
Nominal: $132,229
CoL Index: 104.559
Adjusted: $126,464
Waterbury
Nominal: $114,713
CoL Index: 107.9
Adjusted: $106,314

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose New Haven if…

  • Higher median salary ($132,229/year)
  • Larger job market (30 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $126,464)
  • You prefer the Connecticut area and lifestyle

Choose Waterbury if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($159,844)
  • You prefer the Connecticut area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nuclear medicine technologist salaries in New Haven grew 42.8% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 0.2% growth in Waterbury over the same period.

New Haven, CT

+42.8%

$88,240 (2020) → $125,980 (2025)

Waterbury, CT

+0.2%

$109,070 (2024) → $109,292 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nuclear medicine technologists more: New Haven or Waterbury?

New Haven has a higher median nuclear medicine technologist salary at $132,229/year, compared to Waterbury at $114,713/year — a difference of $17,516 (15.27%).

What is the hourly rate difference between New Haven and Waterbury?

New Haven nuclear medicine technologists earn $63.57/hr while Waterbury hygienists earn $55.15/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from New Haven to Waterbury as a nuclear medicine technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing New Haven and Waterbury. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: New Haven = $126,464, Waterbury = $106,314), job availability (30 vs 22 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nuclear medicine technologists earn in New Haven vs Waterbury?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nuclear medicine technologists earn $114,879 in New Haven and $89,496 in Waterbury. The New Haven 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