Nuclear Med Tech Salary

Allentown vs State College: Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary (2026)

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

Allentown, PA
$108,392
$52.11/hr
State College, PA
$98,822
$47.52/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAllentown, PAState College, PA
Median Salary$108,392$98,822
Hourly Rate$52.11$47.52
Entry Level (P10)$86,351$80,160
25th Percentile$88,870$86,334
75th Percentile$112,633$114,594
Top Earner (P90)$128,503$130,000
Total Employed709
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Allentown ($108,392) and State College ($98,822) nuclear medicine technologist salaries.AllentownState CollegeMedian Salary$108,392$98,822Entry Level (P10)$86,351$80,160Top Earner (P90)$128,503$130,000US Median $106,398

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Allentown and State College is $9,570 (9.68%). Allentown's median is +1.87% 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,State College spans $49,840. State College 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
State College
P10 (Entry)$80,160
P25$86,334
Median$98,822
P75$114,594
P90 (Top)$130,000

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Allentown ($108,427 effective) pays 6.87% more than State College ($101,460 effective).

Allentown
Nominal: $108,392
CoL Index: 99.968
Adjusted: $108,427
State College
Nominal: $98,822
CoL Index: 97.4
Adjusted: $101,460

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Allentown if…

  • Higher median salary ($108,392/year)
  • Larger job market (70 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $108,427)
  • You prefer the Pennsylvania area and lifestyle

Choose State College if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($130,000)
  • 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 5.6% growth in State College over the same period.

Allentown, PA

+35.3%

$76,320 (2019) → $103,270 (2025)

State College, PA

+5.6%

$89,164 (2024) → $94,152 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nuclear medicine technologists more: Allentown or State College?

Allentown has a higher median nuclear medicine technologist salary at $108,392/year, compared to State College at $98,822/year — a difference of $9,570 (9.68%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Allentown and State College?

Allentown nuclear medicine technologists earn $52.11/hr while State College hygienists earn $47.52/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Allentown and State College. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Allentown = $108,427, State College = $101,460), job availability (70 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) nuclear medicine technologists earn $86,351 in Allentown and $80,160 in State College. The Allentown area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

AC

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