Nuclear Med Tech Salary

New York vs Buffalo: Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare nuclear medicine technologist salaries between New York, NY and Buffalo, NY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

New York, NY
$131,557
$63.25/hr
Buffalo, NY
$109,347
$52.57/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNew York, NYBuffalo, NY
Median Salary$131,557$109,347
Hourly Rate$63.25$52.57
Entry Level (P10)$110,638$81,984
25th Percentile$118,174$94,202
75th Percentile$138,169$110,565
Top Earner (P90)$145,286$113,955
Total Employed94070
Side-by-side bar chart comparing New York ($131,557) and Buffalo ($109,347) nuclear medicine technologist salaries.New YorkBuffaloMedian Salary$131,557$109,347Entry Level (P10)$110,638$81,984Top Earner (P90)$145,286$113,955US Median $106,398

Verdict

New York, NY offers better overall compensation for nuclear medicine technologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Buffalo.

The salary gap between New York and Buffalo is $22,210 (20.31%). New York's median is +23.65% compared to the US national median of $106,398.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in New York spans $34,648,Buffalo spans $31,971. New York has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

New York
P10 (Entry)$110,638
P25$118,174
Median$131,557
P75$138,169
P90 (Top)$145,286
Buffalo
P10 (Entry)$81,984
P25$94,202
Median$109,347
P75$110,565
P90 (Top)$113,955

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, New York ($116,874 effective) pays 2.44% more than Buffalo ($114,089 effective).

New York
Nominal: $131,557
CoL Index: 112.563
Adjusted: $116,874
Buffalo
Nominal: $109,347
CoL Index: 95.844
Adjusted: $114,089

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose New York if…

  • Higher median salary ($131,557/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($145,286)
  • Larger job market (940 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $116,874)
  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Choose Buffalo if…

  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nuclear medicine technologist salaries in New York grew 36.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 31.0% growth in Buffalo over the same period.

New York, NY

+36.4%

$91,890 (2019) → $125,340 (2025)

Buffalo, NY

+31.0%

$79,530 (2019) → $104,180 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nuclear medicine technologists more: New York or Buffalo?

New York has a higher median nuclear medicine technologist salary at $131,557/year, compared to Buffalo at $109,347/year — a difference of $22,210 (20.31%).

What is the hourly rate difference between New York and Buffalo?

New York nuclear medicine technologists earn $63.25/hr while Buffalo hygienists earn $52.57/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from New York to Buffalo as a nuclear medicine technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing New York and Buffalo. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: New York = $116,874, Buffalo = $114,089), job availability (940 vs 70 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nuclear medicine technologists earn in New York vs Buffalo?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nuclear medicine technologists earn $110,638 in New York and $81,984 in Buffalo. The New York 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