Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Kentucky: $101,463 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Kentucky's 21 metropolitan areas, the average median nuclear medicine technologist pay sits at $101,463/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2033. Because Kentucky sits at BEA RPP 89.3 (11% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $113,620 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Louisville/Jefferson County ($105,460), Louisville ($98,692), Ashland ($96,619).
In Kentucky, the average median salary for nuclear medicine technologists is projected to be $101,464 in 2026, which is approximately 4.6% lower than the national median of $106,398. The highest salaries are found in Louisville/Jefferson County, where technologists can expect to earn about $110,691, while those in Murray will see the lowest average salary at $88,865. This disparity of $21,826 can be attributed to factors such as the demand for healthcare services, the presence of advanced medical facilities, and local cost of living variations. Kentucky's licensing requirements necessitate that technologists hold certification from recognized bodies, ensuring that professionals meet established standards of care. The scope of practice regulations can vary by location, influencing job responsibilities and salary potential. The job market for nuclear medicine technologists in Kentucky is projected to grow at an annual rate of 4.96%, driven by advancements in diagnostic imaging technology and an increasing aging population needing medical imaging services. With a total of 366 technologists employed across the state, locations such as Louisville, Ashland, Owensboro, and Lexington reflect varying salary ranges based on local economic conditions and healthcare needs, underscoring the importance of considering both salary and regional dynamics when pursuing this career in Kentucky.
Kentucky Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Kentucky: $69,287 (lowest entry-level) to $142,095 (highest top earner)
Kentucky vs National Average
Kentucky nuclear medicine technologists earn 4.64% less than the national median ($-4,935/year difference).
Kentucky Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary Distribution (2026)
Nuclear Medicine Technologist salaries in Kentucky range from $75,542 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $130,927 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $101,463. The Kentucky median is $4,935 below the US national median of $106,398. The average hourly rate is $48.78/hr. Approximately 366 nuclear medicine technologists are employed across 21 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$65,600
2025 BLS Actual
$96,669
2026 Current Est.
$101,463
2019–2027 Growth
+62.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Kentucky (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $65,600 | Actual |
| 2020 | $67,110 | Actual |
| 2021 | $80,470 | Actual |
| 2022 | $84,020 | Actual |
| 2023 | $94,900 | Actual |
| 2024 | $77,981 | Actual |
| 2025 | $96,669 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $101,463 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $106,496 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kentucky metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 47.4% from $65,600 (2019) to $96,669 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $106,496 by 2027 — a total increase of $40,896 (62.34%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kentucky metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 4.96% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Kentucky
Lowest Paying Cities in Kentucky
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Murray | $88,865 |
| Jeffersontown | $90,197 |
| Paducah | $90,309 |
| Madisonville | $90,516 |
| Georgetown | $90,853 |
Best Value Cities for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Kentucky
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Kentucky cities offer the most purchasing power for nuclear medicine technologists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Louisville/Jefferson County | $110,691 | 93.074 | $118,928 |
| Louisville | $103,587 | 89.3 | $115,999 |
| Ashland | $101,411 | 89.3 | $113,562 |
| Owensboro | $95,790 | 89.3 | $107,268 |
| Independence | $94,260 | 89.3 | $105,554 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Kentucky
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $75,542 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $101,463 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $130,927 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Kentucky metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 21 Cities in Kentucky
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Louisville/Jefferson County | $110,691 |
| 2 | Louisville | $103,587 |
| 3 | Ashland | $101,411 |
| 4 | Owensboro | $95,790 |
| 5 | Lexington | $95,503 |
| 6 | Independence | $94,260 |
| 7 | Bowling Green | $94,172 |
| 8 | Florence | $94,149 |
| 9 | Covington | $93,751 |
| 10 | Nicholasville | $93,575 |
| 11 | Richmond | $93,552 |
| 12 | Frankfort | $93,073 |
| 13 | Henderson | $92,918 |
| 14 | Elizabethtown | $92,852 |
| 15 | Hopkinsville | $92,586 |
| 16 | Radcliff | $91,174 |
| 17 | Georgetown | $90,853 |
| 18 | Madisonville | $90,516 |
| 19 | Paducah | $90,309 |
| 20 | Jeffersontown | $90,197 |
| 21 | Murray | $88,865 |
More Kentucky Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore nuclear medicine technologist hourly pay in Kentucky cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new nuclear medicine technologists.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced nuclear medicine technologists.
Compare Cities in Kentucky
View all comparisons →Explore More Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nuclear medicine technologists make in Kentucky in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for nuclear medicine technologists in Kentucky?
How does Kentucky nuclear medicine technologist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level nuclear medicine technologist salary in Kentucky?
How many nuclear medicine technologists are employed in Kentucky?
Which Kentucky city offers the best value for nuclear medicine technologists?
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.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 4.96% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 nuclear medicine technologist compensation across Kentucky. State averages are employment-weighted across 21 metro areas — larger metro areas with more nuclear medicine technologistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.96%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for nuclear medicine technologists (SOC 29-2033).
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