Nuclear Med Tech Salary

Bellflower vs Riverside: Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary (2026)

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

Bellflower, CA
$175,242
$84.25/hr
Riverside, CA
$158,353
$76.14/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBellflower, CARiverside, CA
Median Salary$175,242$158,353
Hourly Rate$84.25$76.14
Entry Level (P10)$129,765$108,602
25th Percentile$151,371$133,698
75th Percentile$206,919$168,282
Top Earner (P90)$238,642$174,349
Total Employed11160
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Bellflower ($175,242) and Riverside ($158,353) nuclear medicine technologist salaries.BellflowerRiversideMedian Salary$175,242$158,353Entry Level (P10)$129,765$108,602Top Earner (P90)$238,642$174,349US Median $106,398

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Bellflower and Riverside is $16,889 (10.67%). Bellflower's median is +64.70% compared to the US national median of $106,398.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Bellflower spans $108,877,Riverside spans $65,747. Bellflower has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Bellflower
P10 (Entry)$129,765
P25$151,371
Median$175,242
P75$206,919
P90 (Top)$238,642
Riverside
P10 (Entry)$108,602
P25$133,698
Median$158,353
P75$168,282
P90 (Top)$174,349

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Bellflower ($154,944 effective) pays 4.15% more than Riverside ($148,769 effective).

Bellflower
Nominal: $175,242
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $154,944
Riverside
Nominal: $158,353
CoL Index: 106.442
Adjusted: $148,769

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Bellflower if…

  • Higher median salary ($175,242/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($238,642)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $154,944)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Riverside if…

  • Larger job market (160 employed)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nuclear medicine technologist salaries in Bellflower grew 12.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 50.7% growth in Riverside over the same period.

Bellflower, CA

+12.5%

$148,408 (2024) → $166,961 (2025)

Riverside, CA

+50.7%

$100,140 (2019) → $150,870 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nuclear medicine technologists more: Bellflower or Riverside?

Bellflower has a higher median nuclear medicine technologist salary at $175,242/year, compared to Riverside at $158,353/year — a difference of $16,889 (10.67%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Bellflower and Riverside?

Bellflower nuclear medicine technologists earn $84.25/hr while Riverside hygienists earn $76.14/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Bellflower to Riverside as a nuclear medicine technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Bellflower and Riverside. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Bellflower = $154,944, Riverside = $148,769), job availability (11 vs 160 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nuclear medicine technologists earn in Bellflower vs Riverside?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nuclear medicine technologists earn $129,765 in Bellflower and $108,602 in Riverside. The Bellflower 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