San Francisco vs Santa Ana: Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary (2026)
Compare nuclear medicine technologist salaries between San Francisco, CA and Santa Ana, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Santa Ana, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Median Salary | $199,204▲ | $186,781 |
| Hourly Rate | $95.78▲ | $89.79 |
| Entry Level (P10) | $143,155▲ | $132,952 |
| 25th Percentile | $179,901▲ | $151,587 |
| 75th Percentile | $206,887 | $219,981▲ |
| Top Earner (P90) | $215,095 | $256,058▲ |
| Total Employed | 170▲ | 69 |
Verdict
San Francisco, CA offers better overall compensation for nuclear medicine technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Santa Ana.
The salary gap between San Francisco and Santa Ana is $12,423 (6.65%). San Francisco's median is +87.23% compared to the US national median of $106,398.
Salary Range Comparison
The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in San Francisco spans $71,940,Santa Ana spans $123,106. Santa Ana has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced nuclear medicine technologists.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison
After cost-of-living adjustment, San Francisco ($172,302 effective) pays 4.33% more than Santa Ana ($165,147 effective).
Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.
Which City Is Right for You?
Choose San Francisco if…
- ✓Higher median salary ($199,204/year)
- ✓Larger job market (170 employed)
- ✓Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $172,302)
- ✓You prefer the California area and lifestyle
Choose Santa Ana if…
- ✓Better top-earner potential ($256,058)
- ✓You prefer the California area and lifestyle
Historical Salary Growth Comparison
Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nuclear medicine technologist salaries in San Francisco grew 51.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 12.5% growth in Santa Ana over the same period.
San Francisco, CA
$124,920 (2019) → $189,790 (2025)
Santa Ana, CA
$158,180 (2024) → $177,954 (2025)
View Full Salary Data
San Francisco, CA
Santa Ana, CA
Frequently Asked Questions
Which city pays nuclear medicine technologists more: San Francisco or Santa Ana?
What is the hourly rate difference between San Francisco and Santa Ana?
Should I relocate from San Francisco to Santa Ana as a nuclear medicine technologist?
What do entry-level nuclear medicine technologists earn in San Francisco vs Santa Ana?
Related Comparisons
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.
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