Nuclear Med Tech Salary

Hesperia vs Sacramento: Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary (2026)

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

Hesperia, CA
$175,759
$84.50/hr
Sacramento, CA
$181,854
$87.43/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHesperia, CASacramento, CA
Median Salary$175,759$181,854
Hourly Rate$84.50$87.43
Entry Level (P10)$130,980$130,045
25th Percentile$145,743$153,808
75th Percentile$208,154$195,205
Top Earner (P90)$240,386$201,324
Total Employed14130
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Hesperia ($175,759) and Sacramento ($181,854) nuclear medicine technologist salaries.HesperiaSacramentoMedian Salary$175,759$181,854Entry Level (P10)$130,980$130,045Top Earner (P90)$240,386$201,324US Median $106,398

Verdict

Sacramento, CA offers better overall compensation for nuclear medicine technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Hesperia.

The salary gap between Hesperia and Sacramento is $6,095 (3.47%). Sacramento's median is +70.92% compared to the US national median of $106,398.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Hesperia spans $109,406,Sacramento spans $71,279. Hesperia has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Hesperia
P10 (Entry)$130,980
P25$145,743
Median$175,759
P75$208,154
P90 (Top)$240,386
Sacramento
P10 (Entry)$130,045
P25$153,808
Median$181,854
P75$195,205
P90 (Top)$201,324

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Sacramento ($170,483 effective) pays 9.70% more than Hesperia ($155,401 effective).

Hesperia
Nominal: $175,759
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $155,401
Sacramento
Nominal: $181,854
CoL Index: 106.67
Adjusted: $170,483

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Hesperia if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($240,386)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Sacramento if…

  • Higher median salary ($181,854/year)
  • Larger job market (130 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $170,483)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nuclear medicine technologist salaries in Hesperia grew 12.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 34.8% growth in Sacramento over the same period.

Hesperia, CA

+12.5%

$148,845 (2024) → $167,453 (2025)

Sacramento, CA

+34.8%

$128,540 (2019) → $173,260 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nuclear medicine technologists more: Hesperia or Sacramento?

Sacramento has a higher median nuclear medicine technologist salary at $181,854/year, compared to Hesperia at $175,759/year — a difference of $6,095 (3.47%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Hesperia and Sacramento?

Hesperia nuclear medicine technologists earn $84.50/hr while Sacramento hygienists earn $87.43/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Hesperia to Sacramento as a nuclear medicine technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Hesperia and Sacramento. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Hesperia = $155,401, Sacramento = $170,483), job availability (14 vs 130 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nuclear medicine technologists earn in Hesperia vs Sacramento?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nuclear medicine technologists earn $130,980 in Hesperia and $130,045 in Sacramento. The Hesperia 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