Nuclear Med Tech Salary

Glendale vs Tucson: Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary (2026)

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

Glendale, AZ
$110,057
$52.91/hr
Tucson, AZ
$103,994
$49.99/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricGlendale, AZTucson, AZ
Median Salary$110,057$103,994
Hourly Rate$52.91$49.99
Entry Level (P10)$79,775$61,916
25th Percentile$90,671$93,939
75th Percentile$128,484$112,507
Top Earner (P90)$149,380$130,413
Total Employed5050
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Glendale ($110,057) and Tucson ($103,994) nuclear medicine technologist salaries.GlendaleTucsonMedian Salary$110,057$103,994Entry Level (P10)$79,775$61,916Top Earner (P90)$149,380$130,413US Median $106,398

Verdict

Glendale, AZ offers better overall compensation for nuclear medicine technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Tucson.

The salary gap between Glendale and Tucson is $6,063 (5.83%). Glendale's median is +3.44% compared to the US national median of $106,398.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Glendale spans $69,605,Tucson spans $68,497. Glendale has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Glendale
P10 (Entry)$79,775
P25$90,671
Median$110,057
P75$128,484
P90 (Top)$149,380
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, Glendale ($111,733 effective) pays 4.11% more than Tucson ($107,325 effective).

Glendale
Nominal: $110,057
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $111,733
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 Glendale if…

  • Higher median salary ($110,057/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($149,380)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $111,733)
  • You prefer the Arizona area and lifestyle

Choose Tucson if…

  • You prefer the Arizona area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

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

Glendale, AZ

+5.6%

$99,302 (2024) → $104,856 (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: Glendale or Tucson?

Glendale has a higher median nuclear medicine technologist salary at $110,057/year, compared to Tucson at $103,994/year — a difference of $6,063 (5.83%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Glendale and Tucson?

Glendale nuclear medicine technologists earn $52.91/hr while Tucson hygienists earn $49.99/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Glendale and Tucson. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Glendale = $111,733, Tucson = $107,325), job availability (50 vs 50 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) nuclear medicine technologists earn $79,775 in Glendale and $61,916 in Tucson. The Glendale 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