Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Ashland, KY: $101,411 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Ashland, KY earns a median $101,411/year (≈ $48.75/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Ashland's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.3), that paycheck buys what $113,562 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.7% above the Kentucky state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, a nuclear medicine technologist in Ashland, Kentucky, is projected to earn a median annual salary of $101,411, slightly below the national median of $106,398. The salary range for this profession varies significantly, with entry-level positions (P10) making $80,812 and experienced technologists at the higher end (P90) earning $125,269. Local estimates derived from BLS state-level data, adjusted for regional price parities, reflect the salary dynamics influenced by the demand for PET/CT credentials versus SPECT-only qualifications. The growth in technology using PET/CT imaging and theranostics continues to shape compensation in the region, demonstrating that technologists with diverse skills stand to benefit the most in Ashland’s evolving job market.
About the Ashland Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($80,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,812 | $38.86 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $87,357 | $41.99 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $101,411 | $48.75 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $113,282 | $54.46 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $125,269 | $60.23 |
Median Salary Position
4.69% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ashland
In Ashland, KY, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $44,457 (2026 est.). At $101,411, the local median is 4.69% below the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Ashland: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Ashland Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Ashland median: $101,411/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ashland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $95,043 | +6.70% more |
| National Average | $106,398 | -4.69% less |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Ashland, KY earn a median of $101,411 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.69% lower than the national median of $106,398 and 6.70% above the Kentucky state average of $95,043.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Ashland has a cost of living 10.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Ashland, KY has a cost-of-living index of 89.3 (below the national average of 100). A nuclear medicine technologist earning $101,411 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $113,562 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.98% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$74,297
2025 BLS Actual
$96,619
2026 Current Est.
$101,411
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Ashland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $74,297 | Actual |
| 2020 | $75,860 | Actual |
| 2021 | $75,069 | Actual |
| 2022 | $81,302 | Actual |
| 2023 | $88,165 | Actual |
| 2024 | $67,962 | Actual |
| 2025 | $96,619 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $101,411 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $106,441 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ashland metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 30.0% from $74,297 (2019) to $96,619 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $106,441 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,144 (43.26%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ashland 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $80,812 – $87,357 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $87,357 – $101,411 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $101,411 – $113,282 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $113,282 – $125,269 |
NMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nuclear medicine technologist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Job Market in Ashland
With only four nuclear medicine technologists currently employed in Ashland, the local job market remains relatively small but stable. The area's cost-of-living index is at 89.3, signaling that salaries stretch further in terms of purchasing power compared to national averages. Among the highest-paying employers in the region are hospital nuclear medicine departments and outpatient PET/CT imaging centers, particularly those providing advanced therapies like lutetium-177 treatments. The variance in pay is influenced by factors such as the shifts from SPECT-only to PET/CT competencies, the added complexities of theranostics, and the demand for cross-trained technologists in CT imaging. To maximize earning potential, pursuing certifications in PET/CT and seeking roles in higher-paying outpatient centers or specialty theranostics facilities can be effective strategies for aspiring professionals in Ashland, KY.
More salary data for Ashland, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $96,619 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Ashland metropolitan area. A 4.96% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Ashland is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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