Nuclear Med Tech Salary

Pittsburgh vs Allentown: Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare nuclear medicine technologist salaries between Pittsburgh, PA and Allentown, PA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Pittsburgh, PA
$86,938
$41.80/hr
Allentown, PA
$108,392
$52.11/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricPittsburgh, PAAllentown, PA
Median Salary$86,938$108,392
Hourly Rate$41.80$52.11
Entry Level (P10)$74,815$86,351
25th Percentile$83,065$88,870
75th Percentile$102,116$112,633
Top Earner (P90)$110,523$128,503
Total Employed12070
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Pittsburgh ($86,938) and Allentown ($108,392) nuclear medicine technologist salaries.PittsburghAllentownMedian Salary$86,938$108,392Entry Level (P10)$74,815$86,351Top Earner (P90)$110,523$128,503US Median $106,398

Verdict

Allentown, PA offers better overall compensation for nuclear medicine technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Pittsburgh.

The salary gap between Pittsburgh and Allentown is $21,454 (24.68%). Allentown's median is +1.87% compared to the US national median of $106,398.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Pittsburgh spans $35,708,Allentown spans $42,152. Allentown has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced nuclear medicine technologists.

Pittsburgh
P10 (Entry)$74,815
P25$83,065
Median$86,938
P75$102,116
P90 (Top)$110,523
Allentown
P10 (Entry)$86,351
P25$88,870
Median$108,392
P75$112,633
P90 (Top)$128,503

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Allentown ($108,427 effective) pays 18.07% more than Pittsburgh ($91,832 effective).

Pittsburgh
Nominal: $86,938
CoL Index: 94.671
Adjusted: $91,832
Allentown
Nominal: $108,392
CoL Index: 99.968
Adjusted: $108,427

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Pittsburgh if…

  • Larger job market (120 employed)
  • You prefer the Pennsylvania area and lifestyle

Choose Allentown if…

  • Higher median salary ($108,392/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($128,503)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $108,427)
  • You prefer the Pennsylvania area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nuclear medicine technologist salaries in Pittsburgh grew 30.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 35.3% growth in Allentown over the same period.

Pittsburgh, PA

+30.7%

$63,390 (2019) → $82,830 (2025)

Allentown, PA

+35.3%

$76,320 (2019) → $103,270 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nuclear medicine technologists more: Pittsburgh or Allentown?

Allentown has a higher median nuclear medicine technologist salary at $108,392/year, compared to Pittsburgh at $86,938/year — a difference of $21,454 (24.68%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Pittsburgh and Allentown?

Pittsburgh nuclear medicine technologists earn $41.80/hr while Allentown hygienists earn $52.11/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Pittsburgh to Allentown as a nuclear medicine technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Pittsburgh and Allentown. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Pittsburgh = $91,832, Allentown = $108,427), job availability (120 vs 70 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nuclear medicine technologists earn in Pittsburgh vs Allentown?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nuclear medicine technologists earn $74,815 in Pittsburgh and $86,351 in Allentown. The Allentown 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