Nuclear Med Tech Salary

Atlanta vs McDonough: Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare nuclear medicine technologist salaries between Atlanta, GA and McDonough, GA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Atlanta, GA
$109,053
$52.43/hr
McDonough, GA
$95,474
$45.90/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAtlanta, GAMcDonough, GA
Median Salary$109,053$95,474
Hourly Rate$52.43$45.90
Entry Level (P10)$88,912$79,107
25th Percentile$103,249$84,637
75th Percentile$115,645$106,406
Top Earner (P90)$133,814$123,936
Total Employed3107
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Atlanta ($109,053) and McDonough ($95,474) nuclear medicine technologist salaries.AtlantaMcDonoughMedian Salary$109,053$95,474Entry Level (P10)$88,912$79,107Top Earner (P90)$133,814$123,936US Median $106,398

Verdict

Atlanta, GA offers better overall compensation for nuclear medicine technologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to McDonough.

The salary gap between Atlanta and McDonough is $13,579 (14.22%). Atlanta's median is +2.50% compared to the US national median of $106,398.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Atlanta spans $44,902,McDonough spans $44,829. Atlanta has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Atlanta
P10 (Entry)$88,912
P25$103,249
Median$109,053
P75$115,645
P90 (Top)$133,814
McDonough
P10 (Entry)$79,107
P25$84,637
Median$95,474
P75$106,406
P90 (Top)$123,936

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Atlanta ($108,990 effective) pays 6.28% more than McDonough ($102,550 effective).

Atlanta
Nominal: $109,053
CoL Index: 100.058
Adjusted: $108,990
McDonough
Nominal: $95,474
CoL Index: 93.1
Adjusted: $102,550

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Atlanta if…

  • Higher median salary ($109,053/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($133,814)
  • Larger job market (310 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $108,990)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Choose McDonough if…

  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nuclear medicine technologist salaries in Atlanta grew 30.2% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 15.2% growth in McDonough over the same period.

Atlanta, GA

+30.2%

$79,780 (2019) → $103,900 (2025)

McDonough, GA

+15.2%

$78,965 (2024) → $90,962 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nuclear medicine technologists more: Atlanta or McDonough?

Atlanta has a higher median nuclear medicine technologist salary at $109,053/year, compared to McDonough at $95,474/year — a difference of $13,579 (14.22%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Atlanta and McDonough?

Atlanta nuclear medicine technologists earn $52.43/hr while McDonough hygienists earn $45.90/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Atlanta to McDonough as a nuclear medicine technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Atlanta and McDonough. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Atlanta = $108,990, McDonough = $102,550), job availability (310 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nuclear medicine technologists earn in Atlanta vs McDonough?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nuclear medicine technologists earn $88,912 in Atlanta and $79,107 in McDonough. The Atlanta 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