Nuclear Med Tech Salary

Columbus vs Westlake: Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare nuclear medicine technologist salaries between Columbus, OH and Westlake, OH. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Columbus, OH
$108,644
$52.23/hr
Westlake, OH
$103,446
$49.73/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricColumbus, OHWestlake, OH
Median Salary$108,644$103,446
Hourly Rate$52.23$49.73
Entry Level (P10)$85,847$82,055
25th Percentile$96,637$89,003
75th Percentile$110,575$116,397
Top Earner (P90)$118,101$130,240
Total Employed1005
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Columbus ($108,644) and Westlake ($103,446) nuclear medicine technologist salaries.ColumbusWestlakeMedian Salary$108,644$103,446Entry Level (P10)$85,847$82,055Top Earner (P90)$118,101$130,240US Median $106,398

Verdict

Columbus, OH offers better overall compensation for nuclear medicine technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Westlake.

The salary gap between Columbus and Westlake is $5,198 (5.02%). Columbus's median is +2.11% compared to the US national median of $106,398.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Columbus spans $32,254,Westlake spans $48,185. Westlake has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced nuclear medicine technologists.

Columbus
P10 (Entry)$85,847
P25$96,637
Median$108,644
P75$110,575
P90 (Top)$118,101
Westlake
P10 (Entry)$82,055
P25$89,003
Median$103,446
P75$116,397
P90 (Top)$130,240

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Westlake ($114,053 effective) pays 0.22% more than Columbus ($113,800 effective).

Columbus
Nominal: $108,644
CoL Index: 95.469
Adjusted: $113,800
Westlake
Nominal: $103,446
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $114,053

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Columbus if…

  • Higher median salary ($108,644/year)
  • Larger job market (100 employed)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Westlake if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($130,240)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $114,053)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nuclear medicine technologist salaries in Columbus grew 42.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 24.5% growth in Westlake over the same period.

Columbus, OH

+42.3%

$72,720 (2019) → $103,510 (2025)

Westlake, OH

+24.5%

$79,140 (2024) → $98,558 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nuclear medicine technologists more: Columbus or Westlake?

Columbus has a higher median nuclear medicine technologist salary at $108,644/year, compared to Westlake at $103,446/year — a difference of $5,198 (5.02%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Columbus and Westlake?

Columbus nuclear medicine technologists earn $52.23/hr while Westlake hygienists earn $49.73/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Columbus to Westlake as a nuclear medicine technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Columbus and Westlake. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Columbus = $113,800, Westlake = $114,053), job availability (100 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nuclear medicine technologists earn in Columbus vs Westlake?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nuclear medicine technologists earn $85,847 in Columbus and $82,055 in Westlake. The Columbus 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