Nuclear Med Tech Salary

Sacramento vs Thousand Oaks: Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary (2026)

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

Sacramento, CA
$181,854
$87.43/hr
Thousand Oaks, CA
$177,329
$85.26/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSacramento, CAThousand Oaks, CA
Median Salary$181,854$177,329
Hourly Rate$87.43$85.26
Entry Level (P10)$130,045$140,374
25th Percentile$153,808$153,788
75th Percentile$195,205$209,713
Top Earner (P90)$201,324$243,361
Total Employed13032
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Sacramento ($181,854) and Thousand Oaks ($177,329) nuclear medicine technologist salaries.SacramentoThousand OaksMedian Salary$181,854$177,329Entry Level (P10)$130,045$140,374Top Earner (P90)$201,324$243,361US Median $106,398

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Sacramento and Thousand Oaks is $4,525 (2.55%). 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 Sacramento spans $71,279,Thousand Oaks spans $102,987. Thousand Oaks has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced nuclear medicine technologists.

Sacramento
P10 (Entry)$130,045
P25$153,808
Median$181,854
P75$195,205
P90 (Top)$201,324
Thousand Oaks
P10 (Entry)$140,374
P25$153,788
Median$177,329
P75$209,713
P90 (Top)$243,361

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Sacramento ($170,483 effective) pays 8.73% more than Thousand Oaks ($156,790 effective).

Sacramento
Nominal: $181,854
CoL Index: 106.67
Adjusted: $170,483
Thousand Oaks
Nominal: $177,329
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $156,790

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

Which City Is Right for You?

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

Choose Thousand Oaks if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($243,361)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nuclear medicine technologist salaries in Sacramento grew 34.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 12.5% growth in Thousand Oaks over the same period.

Sacramento, CA

+34.8%

$128,540 (2019) → $173,260 (2025)

Thousand Oaks, CA

+12.5%

$150,176 (2024) → $168,949 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nuclear medicine technologists more: Sacramento or Thousand Oaks?

Sacramento has a higher median nuclear medicine technologist salary at $181,854/year, compared to Thousand Oaks at $177,329/year — a difference of $4,525 (2.55%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Sacramento and Thousand Oaks?

Sacramento nuclear medicine technologists earn $87.43/hr while Thousand Oaks hygienists earn $85.26/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Sacramento and Thousand Oaks. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Sacramento = $170,483, Thousand Oaks = $156,790), job availability (130 vs 32 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) nuclear medicine technologists earn $130,045 in Sacramento and $140,374 in Thousand Oaks. The Thousand Oaks 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