Nuclear Med Tech Salary

Houston vs Sugar Land: Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary (2026)

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

Houston, TX
$112,549
$54.12/hr
Sugar Land, TX
$101,847
$48.96/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHouston, TXSugar Land, TX
Median Salary$112,549$101,847
Hourly Rate$54.12$48.96
Entry Level (P10)$98,526$79,229
25th Percentile$101,717$87,271
75th Percentile$121,103$119,370
Top Earner (P90)$133,761$137,960
Total Employed32021
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Houston ($112,549) and Sugar Land ($101,847) nuclear medicine technologist salaries.HoustonSugar LandMedian Salary$112,549$101,847Entry Level (P10)$98,526$79,229Top Earner (P90)$133,761$137,960US Median $106,398

Verdict

Houston, TX offers better overall compensation for nuclear medicine technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Sugar Land.

The salary gap between Houston and Sugar Land is $10,702 (10.51%). 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,Sugar Land spans $58,731. Sugar Land 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
Sugar Land
P10 (Entry)$79,229
P25$87,271
Median$101,847
P75$119,370
P90 (Top)$137,960

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Houston ($114,113 effective) pays 7.56% more than Sugar Land ($106,091 effective).

Houston
Nominal: $112,549
CoL Index: 98.629
Adjusted: $114,113
Sugar Land
Nominal: $101,847
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $106,091

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)
  • Larger job market (320 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $114,113)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Sugar Land if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($137,960)
  • 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 Sugar Land over the same period.

Houston, TX

+34.1%

$79,970 (2019) → $107,230 (2025)

Sugar Land, TX

+10.2%

$88,065 (2024) → $97,034 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nuclear medicine technologists more: Houston or Sugar Land?

Houston has a higher median nuclear medicine technologist salary at $112,549/year, compared to Sugar Land at $101,847/year — a difference of $10,702 (10.51%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Houston and Sugar Land?

Houston nuclear medicine technologists earn $54.12/hr while Sugar Land hygienists earn $48.96/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Houston and Sugar Land. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Houston = $114,113, Sugar Land = $106,091), job availability (320 vs 21 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) nuclear medicine technologists earn $98,526 in Houston and $79,229 in Sugar Land. The Houston 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