Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Hopkinsville, KY: $92,586 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Hopkinsville, KY earns a median $92,586/year (≈ $44.51/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Hopkinsville's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.3), that paycheck buys what $103,680 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.6% below the Kentucky state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Hopkinsville, Kentucky, the median annual salary for a nuclear medicine technologist is projected to be $92,586 in 2026. This figure reflects a competitive salary compared to national standards, which see a median of $106,398. The salary range in this area spans from $70,752 at the 10th percentile to $122,157 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse job market that accommodates various levels of expertise. These estimates are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and are adjusted for local cost-of-living realities. While nuclear medicine technologists working in hospital departments generally receive competitive pay, those employed at outpatient PET and oncology centers may see differing compensation levels based on the structural choices made within the healthcare landscape of Hopkinsville.
About the Hopkinsville Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($80,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $70,752 | $34.02 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $77,674 | $37.34 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $92,586 | $44.51 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $104,387 | $50.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $122,157 | $58.73 |
Median Salary Position
12.98% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hopkinsville
In Hopkinsville, KY, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $51,405 (2026 est.). At $92,586, the local median is 12.98% below the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Hopkinsville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Hopkinsville Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Hopkinsville median: $92,586/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Hopkinsville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $95,058 | -2.60% less |
| National Average | $106,398 | -12.98% less |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Hopkinsville, KY earn a median of $92,586 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.98% lower than the national median of $106,398 and 2.60% below the Kentucky state average of $95,058.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Hopkinsville 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.
Hopkinsville, KY has a cost-of-living index of 89.3 (below the national average of 100). A nuclear medicine technologist earning $92,586 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $103,680 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.98% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$67,831
2025 BLS Actual
$88,211
2026 Current Est.
$92,586
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Hopkinsville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $67,831 | Actual |
| 2020 | $69,258 | Actual |
| 2021 | $68,536 | Actual |
| 2022 | $74,227 | Actual |
| 2023 | $80,492 | Actual |
| 2024 | $69,616 | Actual |
| 2025 | $88,211 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $92,586 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $97,179 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hopkinsville metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 30.0% from $67,831 (2019) to $88,211 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $97,179 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,348 (43.27%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hopkinsville 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) | $70,752 – $77,674 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $77,674 – $92,586 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $92,586 – $104,387 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $104,387 – $122,157 |
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 Hopkinsville
The job market for nuclear medicine technologists in Hopkinsville is relatively small, with only six professionals currently employed in the area. The cost of living index in Hopkinsville is quite favorable at 89.3, allowing professionals to stretch their pay further than they might in higher-cost locales. Employers like hospitals typically pay the most due to the comprehensive services they offer, but outpatient PET/CT imaging centers and specialized practices such as theranostics (like those utilizing lutetium-177 therapies) could provide higher premiums for those with a broader skill set. The wage discrepancies stem from various factors, including experience with advanced treatments, on-call availability, and credentialing in both PET/CT and SPECT techniques. New entrants to the field can enhance their prospects and earning potential by obtaining additional certifications and pursuing cross-training opportunities in complementary areas such as CT imaging.
More salary data for Hopkinsville, 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 $88,211 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Hopkinsville 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 Hopkinsville 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