Nuclear Med Tech Salary

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

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

Los Angeles, CA
$164,168
$78.93/hr
Norwalk, CA
$174,994
$84.14/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLos Angeles, CANorwalk, CA
Median Salary$164,168$174,994
Hourly Rate$78.93$84.14
Entry Level (P10)$129,206$134,748
25th Percentile$139,471$145,243
75th Percentile$176,469$204,305
Top Earner (P90)$186,000$235,016
Total Employed46022
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Los Angeles ($164,168) and Norwalk ($174,994) nuclear medicine technologist salaries.Los AngelesNorwalkMedian Salary$164,168$174,994Entry Level (P10)$129,206$134,748Top Earner (P90)$186,000$235,016US Median $106,398

Verdict

Norwalk, 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 Norwalk is $10,826 (6.59%). Norwalk's median is +64.47% 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,Norwalk spans $100,268. Norwalk has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced nuclear medicine technologists.

Los Angeles
P10 (Entry)$129,206
P25$139,471
Median$164,168
P75$176,469
P90 (Top)$186,000
Norwalk
P10 (Entry)$134,748
P25$145,243
Median$174,994
P75$204,305
P90 (Top)$235,016

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Norwalk ($154,725 effective) pays 7.03% more than Los Angeles ($144,557 effective).

Los Angeles
Nominal: $164,168
CoL Index: 113.566
Adjusted: $144,557
Norwalk
Nominal: $174,994
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $154,725

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 Norwalk if…

  • Higher median salary ($174,994/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($235,016)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $154,725)
  • 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 Norwalk over the same period.

Los Angeles, CA

+39.6%

$112,050 (2019) → $156,410 (2025)

Norwalk, CA

+12.5%

$148,197 (2024) → $166,724 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Norwalk has a higher median nuclear medicine technologist salary at $174,994/year, compared to Los Angeles at $164,168/year — a difference of $10,826 (6.59%).

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

Los Angeles nuclear medicine technologists earn $78.93/hr while Norwalk hygienists earn $84.14/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Los Angeles and Norwalk. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Los Angeles = $144,557, Norwalk = $154,725), job availability (460 vs 22 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) nuclear medicine technologists earn $129,206 in Los Angeles and $134,748 in Norwalk. The Norwalk 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