Nuclear Med Tech Salary

Folsom vs Los Angeles: Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary (2026)

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

Folsom, CA
$183,083
$88.02/hr
Los Angeles, CA
$164,168
$78.93/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFolsom, CALos Angeles, CA
Median Salary$183,083$164,168
Hourly Rate$88.02$78.93
Entry Level (P10)$135,594$129,206
25th Percentile$151,746$139,471
75th Percentile$209,779$176,469
Top Earner (P90)$238,656$186,000
Total Employed17460
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Folsom ($183,083) and Los Angeles ($164,168) nuclear medicine technologist salaries.FolsomLos AngelesMedian Salary$183,083$164,168Entry Level (P10)$135,594$129,206Top Earner (P90)$238,656$186,000US Median $106,398

Verdict

Folsom, CA offers better overall compensation for nuclear medicine technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Los Angeles.

The salary gap between Folsom and Los Angeles is $18,915 (11.52%). Folsom's median is +72.07% compared to the US national median of $106,398.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Folsom spans $103,062,Los Angeles spans $56,794. Folsom has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Folsom
P10 (Entry)$135,594
P25$151,746
Median$183,083
P75$209,779
P90 (Top)$238,656
Los Angeles
P10 (Entry)$129,206
P25$139,471
Median$164,168
P75$176,469
P90 (Top)$186,000

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Folsom ($161,877 effective) pays 11.98% more than Los Angeles ($144,557 effective).

Folsom
Nominal: $183,083
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $161,877
Los Angeles
Nominal: $164,168
CoL Index: 113.566
Adjusted: $144,557

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Folsom if…

  • Higher median salary ($183,083/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($238,656)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $161,877)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Los Angeles if…

  • Larger job market (460 employed)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nuclear medicine technologist salaries in Folsom grew 17.2% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 39.6% growth in Los Angeles over the same period.

Folsom, CA

+17.2%

$148,798 (2024) → $174,431 (2025)

Los Angeles, CA

+39.6%

$112,050 (2019) → $156,410 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nuclear medicine technologists more: Folsom or Los Angeles?

Folsom has a higher median nuclear medicine technologist salary at $183,083/year, compared to Los Angeles at $164,168/year — a difference of $18,915 (11.52%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Folsom and Los Angeles?

Folsom nuclear medicine technologists earn $88.02/hr while Los Angeles hygienists earn $78.93/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Folsom to Los Angeles as a nuclear medicine technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Folsom and Los Angeles. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Folsom = $161,877, Los Angeles = $144,557), job availability (17 vs 460 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nuclear medicine technologists earn in Folsom vs Los Angeles?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nuclear medicine technologists earn $135,594 in Folsom and $129,206 in Los Angeles. The Folsom 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