Louisville/Jefferson County vs Paducah: Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary (2026)
Compare nuclear medicine technologist salaries between Louisville/Jefferson County, KY and Paducah, KY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | Louisville/Jefferson County, KY | Paducah, KY |
|---|---|---|
| Median Salary | $110,691▲ | $90,309 |
| Hourly Rate | $53.21▲ | $43.42 |
| Entry Level (P10) | $79,927▲ | $72,778 |
| 25th Percentile | $102,430▲ | $78,544 |
| 75th Percentile | $127,306▲ | $104,381 |
| Top Earner (P90) | $131,242▲ | $118,241 |
| Total Employed | 90▲ | 6 |
Verdict
Louisville/Jefferson County, KY offers better overall compensation for nuclear medicine technologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Paducah.
The salary gap between Louisville/Jefferson County and Paducah is $20,382 (22.57%). Louisville/Jefferson County's median is +4.03% compared to the US national median of $106,398.
Salary Range Comparison
The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Louisville/Jefferson County spans $51,315,Paducah spans $45,463. Louisville/Jefferson County has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison
After cost-of-living adjustment, Louisville/Jefferson County ($118,928 effective) pays 17.60% more than Paducah ($101,130 effective).
Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.
Which City Is Right for You?
Choose Louisville/Jefferson County if…
- ✓Higher median salary ($110,691/year)
- ✓Better top-earner potential ($131,242)
- ✓Larger job market (90 employed)
- ✓Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $118,928)
- ✓You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle
Choose Paducah if…
- ✓You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle
Historical Salary Growth Comparison
Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nuclear medicine technologist salaries in Louisville/Jefferson County grew 66.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 26.7% growth in Paducah over the same period.
Louisville/Jefferson County, KY
$63,380 (2019) → $105,460 (2025)
Paducah, KY
$67,903 (2024) → $86,041 (2025)
View Full Salary Data
Louisville/Jefferson County, KY
Paducah, KY
Frequently Asked Questions
Which city pays nuclear medicine technologists more: Louisville/Jefferson County or Paducah?
What is the hourly rate difference between Louisville/Jefferson County and Paducah?
Should I relocate from Louisville/Jefferson County to Paducah as a nuclear medicine technologist?
What do entry-level nuclear medicine technologists earn in Louisville/Jefferson County vs Paducah?
Related Comparisons
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.
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