Nuclear Med Tech Salary

Alhambra vs Los Angeles: Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare nuclear medicine technologist salaries between Alhambra, CA and Los Angeles, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Alhambra, CA
$173,706
$83.52/hr
Los Angeles, CA
$164,168
$78.93/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAlhambra, CALos Angeles, CA
Median Salary$173,706$164,168
Hourly Rate$83.52$78.93
Entry Level (P10)$140,078$129,206
25th Percentile$152,011$139,471
75th Percentile$196,651$176,469
Top Earner (P90)$233,492$186,000
Total Employed13460
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Alhambra ($173,706) and Los Angeles ($164,168) nuclear medicine technologist salaries.AlhambraLos AngelesMedian Salary$173,706$164,168Entry Level (P10)$140,078$129,206Top Earner (P90)$233,492$186,000US Median $106,398

Verdict

Alhambra, CA offers better overall compensation for nuclear medicine technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Los Angeles.

The salary gap between Alhambra and Los Angeles is $9,538 (5.81%). Alhambra's median is +63.26% compared to the US national median of $106,398.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Alhambra spans $93,414,Los Angeles spans $56,794. Alhambra has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Alhambra
P10 (Entry)$140,078
P25$152,011
Median$173,706
P75$196,651
P90 (Top)$233,492
Los Angeles
P10 (Entry)$129,206
P25$139,471
Median$164,168
P75$176,469
P90 (Top)$186,000

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Alhambra ($153,586 effective) pays 6.25% more than Los Angeles ($144,557 effective).

Alhambra
Nominal: $173,706
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $153,586
Los Angeles
Nominal: $164,168
CoL Index: 113.566
Adjusted: $144,557

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Alhambra if…

  • Higher median salary ($173,706/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($233,492)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $153,586)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Los Angeles if…

  • Larger job market (460 employed)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nuclear medicine technologist salaries in Alhambra grew 12.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 39.6% growth in Los Angeles over the same period.

Alhambra, CA

+12.5%

$147,107 (2024) → $165,497 (2025)

Los Angeles, CA

+39.6%

$112,050 (2019) → $156,410 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nuclear medicine technologists more: Alhambra or Los Angeles?

Alhambra has a higher median nuclear medicine technologist salary at $173,706/year, compared to Los Angeles at $164,168/year — a difference of $9,538 (5.81%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Alhambra and Los Angeles?

Alhambra nuclear medicine technologists earn $83.52/hr while Los Angeles hygienists earn $78.93/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Alhambra to Los Angeles as a nuclear medicine technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Alhambra and Los Angeles. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Alhambra = $153,586, Los Angeles = $144,557), job availability (13 vs 460 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nuclear medicine technologists earn in Alhambra vs Los Angeles?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nuclear medicine technologists earn $140,078 in Alhambra and $129,206 in Los Angeles. The Alhambra 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