Nuclear Med Tech Salary

Medford vs Portland: Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare nuclear medicine technologist salaries between Medford, OR and Portland, OR. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Medford, OR
$106,633
$51.26/hr
Portland, OR
$133,310
$64.09/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMedford, ORPortland, OR
Median Salary$106,633$133,310
Hourly Rate$51.26$64.09
Entry Level (P10)$84,407$108,098
25th Percentile$92,211$113,787
75th Percentile$126,093$137,319
Top Earner (P90)$145,108$140,468
Total Employed22100
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Medford ($106,633) and Portland ($133,310) nuclear medicine technologist salaries.MedfordPortlandMedian Salary$106,633$133,310Entry Level (P10)$84,407$108,098Top Earner (P90)$145,108$140,468US Median $106,398

Verdict

Portland, OR offers better overall compensation for nuclear medicine technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Medford.

The salary gap between Medford and Portland is $26,677 (25.02%). Portland's median is +25.29% compared to the US national median of $106,398.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Medford spans $60,701,Portland spans $32,370. Medford has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Medford
P10 (Entry)$84,407
P25$92,211
Median$106,633
P75$126,093
P90 (Top)$145,108
Portland
P10 (Entry)$108,098
P25$113,787
Median$133,310
P75$137,319
P90 (Top)$140,468

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Portland ($126,455 effective) pays 21.67% more than Medford ($103,931 effective).

Medford
Nominal: $106,633
CoL Index: 102.6
Adjusted: $103,931
Portland
Nominal: $133,310
CoL Index: 105.421
Adjusted: $126,455

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Medford if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($145,108)
  • You prefer the Oregon area and lifestyle

Choose Portland if…

  • Higher median salary ($133,310/year)
  • Larger job market (100 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $126,455)
  • You prefer the Oregon area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nuclear medicine technologist salaries in Medford grew -14.1% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 38.4% growth in Portland over the same period.

Medford, OR

+-14.1%

$118,261 (2024) → $101,594 (2025)

Portland, OR

+38.4%

$91,740 (2019) → $127,010 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nuclear medicine technologists more: Medford or Portland?

Portland has a higher median nuclear medicine technologist salary at $133,310/year, compared to Medford at $106,633/year — a difference of $26,677 (25.02%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Medford and Portland?

Medford nuclear medicine technologists earn $51.26/hr while Portland hygienists earn $64.09/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Medford to Portland as a nuclear medicine technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Medford and Portland. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Medford = $103,931, Portland = $126,455), job availability (22 vs 100 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nuclear medicine technologists earn in Medford vs Portland?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nuclear medicine technologists earn $84,407 in Medford and $108,098 in Portland. The Portland 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