Nuclear Med Tech Salary

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

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

Glendale, CA
$177,357
$85.27/hr
Los Angeles, CA
$164,168
$78.93/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricGlendale, CALos Angeles, CA
Median Salary$177,357$164,168
Hourly Rate$85.27$78.93
Entry Level (P10)$139,728$129,206
25th Percentile$153,847$139,471
75th Percentile$209,781$176,469
Top Earner (P90)$243,458$186,000
Total Employed36460
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Glendale ($177,357) and Los Angeles ($164,168) nuclear medicine technologist salaries.GlendaleLos AngelesMedian Salary$177,357$164,168Entry Level (P10)$139,728$129,206Top Earner (P90)$243,458$186,000US Median $106,398

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Glendale and Los Angeles is $13,189 (8.03%). Glendale's median is +66.69% compared to the US national median of $106,398.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Glendale spans $103,730,Los Angeles spans $56,794. Glendale has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Glendale
P10 (Entry)$139,728
P25$153,847
Median$177,357
P75$209,781
P90 (Top)$243,458
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, Glendale ($156,814 effective) pays 8.48% more than Los Angeles ($144,557 effective).

Glendale
Nominal: $177,357
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $156,814
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 Glendale if…

  • Higher median salary ($177,357/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($243,458)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $156,814)
  • 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 Glendale grew 12.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 39.6% growth in Los Angeles over the same period.

Glendale, CA

+12.5%

$150,200 (2024) → $168,976 (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: Glendale or Los Angeles?

Glendale has a higher median nuclear medicine technologist salary at $177,357/year, compared to Los Angeles at $164,168/year — a difference of $13,189 (8.03%).

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

Glendale nuclear medicine technologists earn $85.27/hr while Los Angeles hygienists earn $78.93/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Glendale and Los Angeles. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Glendale = $156,814, Los Angeles = $144,557), job availability (36 vs 460 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) nuclear medicine technologists earn $139,728 in Glendale and $129,206 in Los Angeles. 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