Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Cleveland, OH: $104,330 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Cleveland, OH earns a median $104,330/year (≈ $50.16/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Cleveland's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.9), that paycheck buys what $111,080 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Ohio state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for nuclear medicine technologists working in Cleveland, Ohio, is approximately $104,330, which is slightly below the national median of $106,398. Salary ranges for this profession in the Cleveland area vary significantly, reflecting a wide spectrum of experience and work settings, with entry-level positions starting around $85,280 and offering potential earnings of up to $111,572 for the most experienced technologists. This salary data stems from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, underlining the robust healthcare industry in Cleveland, which prominently features both hospital departments and outpatient PET/CT imaging centers.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $85,280 | $41.00 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $92,134 | $44.29 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $104,330 | $50.16 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $108,088 | $51.97 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $111,572 | $53.65 |
Median Salary Position
1.94% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cleveland
In Cleveland, OH, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $26,292 (2026 est.). At $104,330, the local median is 1.94% below the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cleveland: You'd be above the median
How Cleveland Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Cleveland median: $104,330/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cleveland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $106,398 | -1.94% less |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Cleveland, OH earn a median of $104,330 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.94% lower than the national median of $106,398.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cleveland has a cost of living 6.08% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cleveland, OH has a cost-of-living index of 93.923 (below the national average of 100). A nuclear medicine technologist earning $104,330 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $111,080 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.47% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$77,140
2025 BLS Actual
$99,400
2026 Current Est.
$104,330
2019–2027 Growth
+42.0%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Cleveland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $77,140 | Actual |
| 2020 | $78,330 | Actual |
| 2021 | $80,390 | Actual |
| 2022 | $88,610 | Actual |
| 2023 | $98,460 | Actual |
| 2024 | $95,830 | Actual |
| 2025 | $99,400 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $104,330 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $109,505 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cleveland metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 28.9% from $77,140 (2019) to $99,400 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $109,505 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,365 (41.96%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cleveland 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) | $85,280 – $92,134 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $92,134 – $104,330 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $104,330 – $108,088 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $108,088 – $111,572 |
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 Cleveland
The local job market for nuclear medicine technologists remains strong, with around 170 professionals employed in Cleveland. The cost of living index stands at 93.923, suggesting that while salaries may be slightly lower compared to national averages, the purchasing power for residents can be favorable. Major employers include hospital nuclear medicine departments and outpatient PET/CT imaging centers, with the latter often commanding higher pay due to the advanced technologies employed. Factors influencing salary disparities include experience with theranostic therapies like lutetium-177 treatments and cross-training in CT imaging, alongside variations in job responsibilities and on-call requirements. To enhance earning potential, professionals should consider specializing in PET/CT modalities, gaining experience in theranostics, and exploring opportunities in both hospital settings and private practices, thus positioning themselves competitively in the Cleveland job market.
More salary data for Cleveland, OH:
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 $99,400 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Cleveland 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
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