Nuclear Med Tech Salary

San Tan Valley vs Tucson: Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare nuclear medicine technologist salaries between San Tan Valley, AZ and Tucson, AZ. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

San Tan Valley, AZ
$105,368
$50.65/hr
Tucson, AZ
$103,994
$49.99/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSan Tan Valley, AZTucson, AZ
Median Salary$105,368$103,994
Hourly Rate$50.65$49.99
Entry Level (P10)$79,952$61,916
25th Percentile$92,462$93,939
75th Percentile$119,702$112,507
Top Earner (P90)$135,093$130,413
Total Employed1250
Side-by-side bar chart comparing San Tan Valley ($105,368) and Tucson ($103,994) nuclear medicine technologist salaries.San Tan ValleyTucsonMedian Salary$105,368$103,994Entry Level (P10)$79,952$61,916Top Earner (P90)$135,093$130,413US Median $106,398

Verdict

San Tan Valley, AZ offers better overall compensation for nuclear medicine technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Tucson.

The salary gap between San Tan Valley and Tucson is $1,374 (1.32%). San Tan Valley's median is -0.97% compared to the US national median of $106,398.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in San Tan Valley spans $55,141,Tucson spans $68,497. Tucson has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced nuclear medicine technologists.

San Tan Valley
P10 (Entry)$79,952
P25$92,462
Median$105,368
P75$119,702
P90 (Top)$135,093
Tucson
P10 (Entry)$61,916
P25$93,939
Median$103,994
P75$112,507
P90 (Top)$130,413

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Tucson ($107,325 effective) pays 0.33% more than San Tan Valley ($106,973 effective).

San Tan Valley
Nominal: $105,368
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $106,973
Tucson
Nominal: $103,994
CoL Index: 96.896
Adjusted: $107,325

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose San Tan Valley if…

  • Higher median salary ($105,368/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($135,093)
  • You prefer the Arizona area and lifestyle

Choose Tucson if…

  • Larger job market (50 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $107,325)
  • You prefer the Arizona area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nuclear medicine technologist salaries in San Tan Valley grew 5.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 28.6% growth in Tucson over the same period.

San Tan Valley, AZ

+5.6%

$95,071 (2024) → $100,389 (2025)

Tucson, AZ

+28.6%

$77,030 (2021) → $99,080 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nuclear medicine technologists more: San Tan Valley or Tucson?

San Tan Valley has a higher median nuclear medicine technologist salary at $105,368/year, compared to Tucson at $103,994/year — a difference of $1,374 (1.32%).

What is the hourly rate difference between San Tan Valley and Tucson?

San Tan Valley nuclear medicine technologists earn $50.65/hr while Tucson hygienists earn $49.99/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from San Tan Valley to Tucson as a nuclear medicine technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing San Tan Valley and Tucson. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: San Tan Valley = $106,973, Tucson = $107,325), job availability (12 vs 50 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nuclear medicine technologists earn in San Tan Valley vs Tucson?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nuclear medicine technologists earn $79,952 in San Tan Valley and $61,916 in Tucson. The San Tan Valley area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

AC

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