Nuclear Med Tech Salary

Allentown vs Bethlehem: Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare nuclear medicine technologist salaries between Allentown, PA and Bethlehem, PA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Allentown, PA
$108,392
$52.11/hr
Bethlehem, PA
$111,033
$53.38/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAllentown, PABethlehem, PA
Median Salary$108,392$111,033
Hourly Rate$52.11$53.38
Entry Level (P10)$86,351$85,360
25th Percentile$88,870$94,374
75th Percentile$112,633$127,138
Top Earner (P90)$128,503$144,594
Total Employed7014
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Allentown ($108,392) and Bethlehem ($111,033) nuclear medicine technologist salaries.AllentownBethlehemMedian Salary$108,392$111,033Entry Level (P10)$86,351$85,360Top Earner (P90)$128,503$144,594US Median $106,398

Verdict

Bethlehem, PA offers better overall compensation for nuclear medicine technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Allentown.

The salary gap between Allentown and Bethlehem is $2,641 (2.44%). Bethlehem's median is +4.36% compared to the US national median of $106,398.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Allentown spans $42,152,Bethlehem spans $59,234. Bethlehem has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced nuclear medicine technologists.

Allentown
P10 (Entry)$86,351
P25$88,870
Median$108,392
P75$112,633
P90 (Top)$128,503
Bethlehem
P10 (Entry)$85,360
P25$94,374
Median$111,033
P75$127,138
P90 (Top)$144,594

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Bethlehem ($113,997 effective) pays 5.14% more than Allentown ($108,427 effective).

Allentown
Nominal: $108,392
CoL Index: 99.968
Adjusted: $108,427
Bethlehem
Nominal: $111,033
CoL Index: 97.4
Adjusted: $113,997

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Allentown if…

  • Larger job market (70 employed)
  • You prefer the Pennsylvania area and lifestyle

Choose Bethlehem if…

  • Higher median salary ($111,033/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($144,594)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $113,997)
  • You prefer the Pennsylvania area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nuclear medicine technologist salaries in Allentown grew 35.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 11.6% growth in Bethlehem over the same period.

Allentown, PA

+35.3%

$76,320 (2019) → $103,270 (2025)

Bethlehem, PA

+11.6%

$94,824 (2024) → $105,786 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nuclear medicine technologists more: Allentown or Bethlehem?

Bethlehem has a higher median nuclear medicine technologist salary at $111,033/year, compared to Allentown at $108,392/year — a difference of $2,641 (2.44%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Allentown and Bethlehem?

Allentown nuclear medicine technologists earn $52.11/hr while Bethlehem hygienists earn $53.38/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Allentown to Bethlehem as a nuclear medicine technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Allentown and Bethlehem. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Allentown = $108,427, Bethlehem = $113,997), job availability (70 vs 14 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nuclear medicine technologists earn in Allentown vs Bethlehem?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nuclear medicine technologists earn $86,351 in Allentown and $85,360 in Bethlehem. The Allentown area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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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.

Clinically reviewed by David Martinez, BS, CNMTData verified by Fatima Nasir, MS, CNMT

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 4.96% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

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