Nuclear Med Tech Salary

San Francisco vs Tracy: Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary (2026)

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

San Francisco, CA
$199,204
$95.78/hr
Tracy, CA
$171,262
$82.34/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSan Francisco, CATracy, CA
Median Salary$199,204$171,262
Hourly Rate$95.78$82.34
Entry Level (P10)$143,155$134,271
25th Percentile$179,901$146,996
75th Percentile$206,887$201,546
Top Earner (P90)$215,095$224,973
Total Employed17014
Side-by-side bar chart comparing San Francisco ($199,204) and Tracy ($171,262) nuclear medicine technologist salaries.San FranciscoTracyMedian Salary$199,204$171,262Entry Level (P10)$143,155$134,271Top Earner (P90)$215,095$224,973US Median $106,398

Verdict

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

The salary gap between San Francisco and Tracy is $27,942 (16.32%). San Francisco's median is +87.23% compared to the US national median of $106,398.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in San Francisco spans $71,940,Tracy spans $90,702. Tracy has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced nuclear medicine technologists.

San Francisco
P10 (Entry)$143,155
P25$179,901
Median$199,204
P75$206,887
P90 (Top)$215,095
Tracy
P10 (Entry)$134,271
P25$146,996
Median$171,262
P75$201,546
P90 (Top)$224,973

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, San Francisco ($172,302 effective) pays 13.79% more than Tracy ($151,425 effective).

San Francisco
Nominal: $199,204
CoL Index: 115.613
Adjusted: $172,302
Tracy
Nominal: $171,262
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $151,425

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose San Francisco if…

  • Higher median salary ($199,204/year)
  • Larger job market (170 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $172,302)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Tracy if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($224,973)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nuclear medicine technologist salaries in San Francisco grew 51.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 12.5% growth in Tracy over the same period.

San Francisco, CA

+51.9%

$124,920 (2019) → $189,790 (2025)

Tracy, CA

+12.5%

$145,038 (2024) → $163,169 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nuclear medicine technologists more: San Francisco or Tracy?

San Francisco has a higher median nuclear medicine technologist salary at $199,204/year, compared to Tracy at $171,262/year — a difference of $27,942 (16.32%).

What is the hourly rate difference between San Francisco and Tracy?

San Francisco nuclear medicine technologists earn $95.78/hr while Tracy hygienists earn $82.34/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from San Francisco to Tracy as a nuclear medicine technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing San Francisco and Tracy. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: San Francisco = $172,302, Tracy = $151,425), job availability (170 vs 14 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nuclear medicine technologists earn in San Francisco vs Tracy?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nuclear medicine technologists earn $143,155 in San Francisco and $134,271 in Tracy. The San Francisco 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