Radiography Tech Salary

Franklin vs Knoxville: Radiologic Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

Compare radiologic technologist and technician salaries between Franklin, TN and Knoxville, TN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Franklin, TN
$79,526
$38.23/hr
Knoxville, TN
$72,534
$34.87/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFranklin, TNKnoxville, TN
Median Salary$79,526$72,534
Hourly Rate$38.23$34.87
Entry Level (P10)$57,510$53,824
25th Percentile$65,196$62,395
75th Percentile$98,629$78,431
Top Earner (P90)$117,801$83,316
Total Employed18670
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Franklin ($79,526) and Knoxville ($72,534) radiologic technologist and technician salaries.FranklinKnoxvilleMedian Salary$79,526$72,534Entry Level (P10)$57,510$53,824Top Earner (P90)$117,801$83,316US Median $84,348

Verdict

Franklin, TN offers better overall compensation for radiologic technologists and technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Knoxville.

The salary gap between Franklin and Knoxville is $6,992 (9.64%). Franklin's median is -5.72% compared to the US national median of $84,348.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Franklin spans $60,291,Knoxville spans $29,492. Franklin has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Franklin
P10 (Entry)$57,510
P25$65,196
Median$79,526
P75$98,629
P90 (Top)$117,801
Knoxville
P10 (Entry)$53,824
P25$62,395
Median$72,534
P75$78,431
P90 (Top)$83,316

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Franklin ($86,630 effective) pays 10.56% more than Knoxville ($78,357 effective).

Franklin
Nominal: $79,526
CoL Index: 91.8
Adjusted: $86,630
Knoxville
Nominal: $72,534
CoL Index: 92.569
Adjusted: $78,357

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Franklin if…

  • Higher median salary ($79,526/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($117,801)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $86,630)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Choose Knoxville if…

  • Larger job market (670 employed)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, radiologic technologist and technician salaries in Franklin grew 35.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 41.8% growth in Knoxville over the same period.

Franklin, TN

+35.7%

$55,668 (2024) → $75,530 (2025)

Knoxville, TN

+41.8%

$48,570 (2019) → $68,890 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays radiologic technologist and technicians more: Franklin or Knoxville?

Franklin has a higher median radiologic technologist and technician salary at $79,526/year, compared to Knoxville at $72,534/year — a difference of $6,992 (9.64%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Franklin and Knoxville?

Franklin radiologic technologist and technicians earn $38.23/hr while Knoxville hygienists earn $34.87/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Franklin to Knoxville as a radiologic technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Franklin and Knoxville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Franklin = $86,630, Knoxville = $78,357), job availability (18 vs 670 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level radiologic technologist and technicians earn in Franklin vs Knoxville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) radiologic technologist and technicians earn $57,510 in Franklin and $53,824 in Knoxville. The Franklin area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JL

Written by Jordan Lee, RT(R), RT(TM)

Career Analyst

Jordan Lee has over 10 years of experience in radiologic technology. They specialize in mammography and work in an outpatient imaging center.

Clinically reviewed by Marisol Patel, RT(R), BSData verified by Samuel Kim, RT(R)(CT), MHA

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 5.29% 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 Jordan Lee, RT(R), RT(TM), a licensed radiologic technologist and technician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov