Nuclear Med Tech Salary

Nogales vs Tucson: Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare nuclear medicine technologist salaries between Nogales, AZ and Tucson, AZ. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Nogales, AZ
$98,722
$47.46/hr
Tucson, AZ
$103,994
$49.99/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNogales, AZTucson, AZ
Median Salary$98,722$103,994
Hourly Rate$47.46$49.99
Entry Level (P10)$77,325$61,916
25th Percentile$89,938$93,939
75th Percentile$109,175$112,507
Top Earner (P90)$119,809$130,413
Total Employed550
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Nogales ($98,722) and Tucson ($103,994) nuclear medicine technologist salaries.NogalesTucsonMedian Salary$98,722$103,994Entry Level (P10)$77,325$61,916Top Earner (P90)$119,809$130,413US Median $106,398

Verdict

Tucson, AZ offers better overall compensation for nuclear medicine technologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Nogales.

The salary gap between Nogales and Tucson is $5,272 (5.34%). Tucson's median is -2.26% compared to the US national median of $106,398.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Nogales spans $42,484,Tucson spans $68,497. Tucson has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced nuclear medicine technologists.

Nogales
P10 (Entry)$77,325
P25$89,938
Median$98,722
P75$109,175
P90 (Top)$119,809
Tucson
P10 (Entry)$61,916
P25$93,939
Median$103,994
P75$112,507
P90 (Top)$130,413

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Tucson ($107,325 effective) pays 7.08% more than Nogales ($100,225 effective).

Nogales
Nominal: $98,722
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $100,225
Tucson
Nominal: $103,994
CoL Index: 96.896
Adjusted: $107,325

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Nogales if…

  • You prefer the Arizona area and lifestyle

Choose Tucson if…

  • Higher median salary ($103,994/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($130,413)
  • Larger job market (50 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $107,325)
  • You prefer the Arizona area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nuclear medicine technologist salaries in Nogales grew 5.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 28.6% growth in Tucson over the same period.

Nogales, AZ

+5.6%

$89,075 (2024) → $94,057 (2025)

Tucson, AZ

+28.6%

$77,030 (2021) → $99,080 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nuclear medicine technologists more: Nogales or Tucson?

Tucson has a higher median nuclear medicine technologist salary at $103,994/year, compared to Nogales at $98,722/year — a difference of $5,272 (5.34%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Nogales and Tucson?

Nogales nuclear medicine technologists earn $47.46/hr while Tucson hygienists earn $49.99/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Nogales to Tucson as a nuclear medicine technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Nogales and Tucson. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Nogales = $100,225, Tucson = $107,325), job availability (5 vs 50 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nuclear medicine technologists earn in Nogales vs Tucson?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nuclear medicine technologists earn $77,325 in Nogales and $61,916 in Tucson. The Nogales 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