Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Columbus, OH: $108,644 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Columbus, OH earns a median $108,644/year (≈ $52.23/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Columbus's price level (5% below national, BEA RPP 95.5), that paycheck buys what $113,800 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.1% above the Ohio state average.
Official BLS data · View source
The 2026 median annual salary for a nuclear medicine technologist in Columbus, OH, is projected at $108,644, offering a competitive edge over the national median, which stands at $106,398. This position generally commands a salary range from $85,847 at the lower end (P10) to $118,101 at the upper end (P90). Such figures reflect the growing specialization within the field, particularly as technologists gain expertise in areas like theranostics, which can significantly enhance earning potential. The data presented here is based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, highlighting a strong local job market for nuclear medicine technologists amid increasing demand for advanced imaging techniques in the healthcare sector.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $85,847 | $41.27 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $96,637 | $46.47 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $108,644 | $52.23 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $110,575 | $53.16 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $118,101 | $56.78 |
Median Salary Position
2.11% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Columbus
In Columbus, OH, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $32,254 (2026 est.). At $108,644, the local median is 2.11% above the national median of $106,398.
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How Columbus Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Columbus median: $108,644/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Columbus Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $104,365 | +4.10% more |
| National Average | $106,398 | +2.11% more |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Columbus, OH earn a median of $108,644 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.11% higher than the national median of $106,398 and 4.10% above the Ohio state average of $104,365.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Columbus has a cost of living 4.53% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Columbus, OH has a cost-of-living index of 95.469 (below the national average of 100). A nuclear medicine technologist earning $108,644 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $113,800 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.75% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$72,720
2025 BLS Actual
$103,510
2026 Current Est.
$108,644
2019–2027 Growth
+56.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Columbus (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $72,720 | Actual |
| 2020 | $77,130 | Actual |
| 2021 | $79,510 | Actual |
| 2022 | $79,310 | Actual |
| 2023 | $94,720 | Actual |
| 2024 | $99,770 | Actual |
| 2025 | $103,510 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $108,644 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $114,033 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Columbus metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 42.3% from $72,720 (2019) to $103,510 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $114,033 by 2027 — a total increase of $41,313 (56.81%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Columbus 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) | $85,847 – $96,637 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $96,637 – $108,644 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $108,644 – $110,575 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $110,575 – $118,101 |
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 Columbus
With roughly 100 nuclear medicine technologists employed in the Columbus area, the local job market shows stability and potential for career growth. The cost of living index in Columbus is 95.469, indicating a slightly lower living expense than the national average, which can enhance overall purchasing power for professionals in this field. Employers that tend to pay the most include hospital nuclear medicine departments, outpatient PET/CT imaging centers, and specialized theranostics facilities. The disparity in salaries often arises from varying credential mixes; those proficient in both PET/CT and SPECT, especially with additional skills in theranostics like handling lutetium-177 therapies, typically see higher compensation. Technologists looking to maximize pay should focus on obtaining cross-training in CT, as well as pursuing on-call roles that may command premium pay rates.
More salary data for Columbus, 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 $103,510 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Columbus 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