Nuclear Med Tech Salary

Houston vs Murphy: Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare nuclear medicine technologist salaries between Houston, TX and Murphy, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Houston, TX
$112,549
$54.12/hr
Murphy, TX
$94,427
$45.40/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHouston, TXMurphy, TX
Median Salary$112,549$94,427
Hourly Rate$54.12$45.40
Entry Level (P10)$98,526$79,104
25th Percentile$101,717$83,847
75th Percentile$121,103$107,977
Top Earner (P90)$133,761$120,221
Total Employed3205
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Houston ($112,549) and Murphy ($94,427) nuclear medicine technologist salaries.HoustonMurphyMedian Salary$112,549$94,427Entry Level (P10)$98,526$79,104Top Earner (P90)$133,761$120,221US Median $106,398

Verdict

Houston, TX offers better overall compensation for nuclear medicine technologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Murphy.

The salary gap between Houston and Murphy is $18,122 (19.19%). Houston's median is +5.78% compared to the US national median of $106,398.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Houston spans $35,235,Murphy spans $41,117. Murphy has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced nuclear medicine technologists.

Houston
P10 (Entry)$98,526
P25$101,717
Median$112,549
P75$121,103
P90 (Top)$133,761
Murphy
P10 (Entry)$79,104
P25$83,847
Median$94,427
P75$107,977
P90 (Top)$120,221

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Houston ($114,113 effective) pays 16.01% more than Murphy ($98,361 effective).

Houston
Nominal: $112,549
CoL Index: 98.629
Adjusted: $114,113
Murphy
Nominal: $94,427
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $98,361

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Houston if…

  • Higher median salary ($112,549/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($133,761)
  • Larger job market (320 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $114,113)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Murphy if…

  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nuclear medicine technologist salaries in Houston grew 34.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 10.2% growth in Murphy over the same period.

Houston, TX

+34.1%

$79,970 (2019) → $107,230 (2025)

Murphy, TX

+10.2%

$81,649 (2024) → $89,965 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nuclear medicine technologists more: Houston or Murphy?

Houston has a higher median nuclear medicine technologist salary at $112,549/year, compared to Murphy at $94,427/year — a difference of $18,122 (19.19%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Houston and Murphy?

Houston nuclear medicine technologists earn $54.12/hr while Murphy hygienists earn $45.40/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Houston to Murphy as a nuclear medicine technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Houston and Murphy. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Houston = $114,113, Murphy = $98,361), job availability (320 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nuclear medicine technologists earn in Houston vs Murphy?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nuclear medicine technologists earn $98,526 in Houston and $79,104 in Murphy. The Houston 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