Los Angeles vs Napa: Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary (2026)
Compare nuclear medicine technologist salaries between Los Angeles, CA and Napa, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Napa, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Median Salary | $164,168 | $173,790▲ |
| Hourly Rate | $78.93 | $83.55▲ |
| Entry Level (P10) | $129,206 | $140,279▲ |
| 25th Percentile | $139,471 | $152,186▲ |
| 75th Percentile | $176,469 | $203,469▲ |
| Top Earner (P90) | $186,000 | $233,772▲ |
| Total Employed | 460▲ | 17 |
Verdict
Napa, CA offers better overall compensation for nuclear medicine technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Los Angeles.
The salary gap between Los Angeles and Napa is $9,622 (5.86%). Napa's median is +63.34% compared to the US national median of $106,398.
Salary Range Comparison
The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Los Angeles spans $56,794,Napa spans $93,493. Napa 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, Napa ($153,660 effective) pays 6.30% more than Los Angeles ($144,557 effective).
Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.
Which City Is Right for You?
Choose Los Angeles if…
- ✓Larger job market (460 employed)
- ✓You prefer the California area and lifestyle
Choose Napa if…
- ✓Higher median salary ($173,790/year)
- ✓Better top-earner potential ($233,772)
- ✓Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $153,660)
- ✓You prefer the California area and lifestyle
Historical Salary Growth Comparison
Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nuclear medicine technologist salaries in Los Angeles grew 39.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 12.5% growth in Napa over the same period.
Los Angeles, CA
$112,050 (2019) → $156,410 (2025)
Napa, CA
$147,178 (2024) → $165,577 (2025)
View Full Salary Data
Los Angeles, CA
Frequently Asked Questions
Which city pays nuclear medicine technologists more: Los Angeles or Napa?
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Should I relocate from Los Angeles to Napa as a nuclear medicine technologist?
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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.
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