Nuclear Med Tech Salary

Davenport vs Iowa City: Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare nuclear medicine technologist salaries between Davenport, IA and Iowa City, IA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Davenport, IA
$95,158
$45.75/hr
Iowa City, IA
$91,784
$44.13/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDavenport, IAIowa City, IA
Median Salary$95,158$91,784
Hourly Rate$45.75$44.13
Entry Level (P10)$71,422$67,871
25th Percentile$79,858$75,995
75th Percentile$109,814$105,089
Top Earner (P90)$126,011$119,513
Total Employed1514
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Davenport ($95,158) and Iowa City ($91,784) nuclear medicine technologist salaries.DavenportIowa CityMedian Salary$95,158$91,784Entry Level (P10)$71,422$67,871Top Earner (P90)$126,011$119,513US Median $106,398

Verdict

Davenport, IA offers better overall compensation for nuclear medicine technologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Iowa City.

The salary gap between Davenport and Iowa City is $3,374 (3.68%). Davenport's median is -10.56% compared to the US national median of $106,398.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Davenport spans $54,589,Iowa City spans $51,642. Davenport has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Davenport
P10 (Entry)$71,422
P25$79,858
Median$95,158
P75$109,814
P90 (Top)$126,011
Iowa City
P10 (Entry)$67,871
P25$75,995
Median$91,784
P75$105,089
P90 (Top)$119,513

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Davenport ($105,263 effective) pays 3.68% more than Iowa City ($101,531 effective).

Davenport
Nominal: $95,158
CoL Index: 90.4
Adjusted: $105,263
Iowa City
Nominal: $91,784
CoL Index: 90.4
Adjusted: $101,531

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Davenport if…

  • Higher median salary ($95,158/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($126,011)
  • Larger job market (15 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $105,263)
  • You prefer the Iowa area and lifestyle

Choose Iowa City if…

  • You prefer the Iowa area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nuclear medicine technologist salaries in Davenport grew 18.0% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 15.6% growth in Iowa City over the same period.

Davenport, IA

+18.0%

$76,830 (2019) → $90,661 (2025)

Iowa City, IA

+15.6%

$75,631 (2024) → $87,447 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nuclear medicine technologists more: Davenport or Iowa City?

Davenport has a higher median nuclear medicine technologist salary at $95,158/year, compared to Iowa City at $91,784/year — a difference of $3,374 (3.68%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Davenport and Iowa City?

Davenport nuclear medicine technologists earn $45.75/hr while Iowa City hygienists earn $44.13/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Davenport to Iowa City as a nuclear medicine technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Davenport and Iowa City. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Davenport = $105,263, Iowa City = $101,531), job availability (15 vs 14 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nuclear medicine technologists earn in Davenport vs Iowa City?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nuclear medicine technologists earn $71,422 in Davenport and $67,871 in Iowa City. The Davenport area offers higher starting salaries.
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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