Nuclear Med Tech Salary

Riverside vs San Ramon: Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare nuclear medicine technologist salaries between Riverside, CA and San Ramon, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Riverside, CA
$158,353
$76.14/hr
San Ramon, CA
$176,093
$84.66/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricRiverside, CASan Ramon, CA
Median Salary$158,353$176,093
Hourly Rate$76.14$84.66
Entry Level (P10)$108,602$131,770
25th Percentile$133,698$146,427
75th Percentile$168,282$202,515
Top Earner (P90)$174,349$229,883
Total Employed16019
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Riverside ($158,353) and San Ramon ($176,093) nuclear medicine technologist salaries.RiversideSan RamonMedian Salary$158,353$176,093Entry Level (P10)$108,602$131,770Top Earner (P90)$174,349$229,883US Median $106,398

Verdict

San Ramon, CA offers better overall compensation for nuclear medicine technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Riverside.

The salary gap between Riverside and San Ramon is $17,740 (11.20%). San Ramon's median is +65.50% compared to the US national median of $106,398.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Riverside spans $65,747,San Ramon spans $98,113. San Ramon has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced nuclear medicine technologists.

Riverside
P10 (Entry)$108,602
P25$133,698
Median$158,353
P75$168,282
P90 (Top)$174,349
San Ramon
P10 (Entry)$131,770
P25$146,427
Median$176,093
P75$202,515
P90 (Top)$229,883

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, San Ramon ($155,697 effective) pays 4.66% more than Riverside ($148,769 effective).

Riverside
Nominal: $158,353
CoL Index: 106.442
Adjusted: $148,769
San Ramon
Nominal: $176,093
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $155,697

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Riverside if…

  • Larger job market (160 employed)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose San Ramon if…

  • Higher median salary ($176,093/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($229,883)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $155,697)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nuclear medicine technologist salaries in Riverside grew 50.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 12.5% growth in San Ramon over the same period.

Riverside, CA

+50.7%

$100,140 (2019) → $150,870 (2025)

San Ramon, CA

+12.5%

$149,129 (2024) → $167,772 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nuclear medicine technologists more: Riverside or San Ramon?

San Ramon has a higher median nuclear medicine technologist salary at $176,093/year, compared to Riverside at $158,353/year — a difference of $17,740 (11.20%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Riverside and San Ramon?

Riverside nuclear medicine technologists earn $76.14/hr while San Ramon hygienists earn $84.66/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Riverside to San Ramon as a nuclear medicine technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Riverside and San Ramon. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Riverside = $148,769, San Ramon = $155,697), job availability (160 vs 19 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nuclear medicine technologists earn in Riverside vs San Ramon?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nuclear medicine technologists earn $108,602 in Riverside and $131,770 in San Ramon. The San Ramon 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