Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay in Buena Park, CA: $85.83 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nuclear medicine technologist working in Buena Park, CA runs $85.83 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $178,522 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Weighted against Buena Park's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $75.88 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $107,111 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Nuclear medicine technologists in Buena Park, California, can expect a median hourly pay of $85.83, which is significantly higher than the national hourly median of $51.15. For part-time professionals working three days a week, this rate translates to a robust income, allowing for a comfortable lifestyle in a city with a cost of living index of 113.1. Per-diem positions in various healthcare settings, such as hospital nuclear medicine suites, mobile PET trailers, and cardiac stress test rooms, offer even more flexibility. Those starting out typically earn around $66.14 per hour, while experienced techs can reach up to $111.52, reflecting the demand for specialized skills, particularly in burgeoning fields like PET/CT imaging and theranostics.
About the Buena Park Market
Salary estimated from California average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $66.14 | $529.08 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $72.80 | $582.40 |
| Median (P50) | $85.83 | $686.61 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $98.13 | $785.02 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $111.52 | $892.16 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Buena Park
Based on $85.83/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $85.83/hr, a nuclear medicine technologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Buena Park, CA can expect to earn approximately $178,518 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $102,991. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Buena Park.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Buena Park
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,433.03 | $14,876 | $178,518 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $2,059.82 | $8,926 | $107,111 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,373.21 | $5,951 | $71,407 |
Compare NMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nuclear Medicine Technologist (Buena Park) | $85.83 |
| Radiologic Technologist (National Avg) | $35.27 |
| MRI Technologist (National Avg) | $40.93 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (National Avg) | $42.41 |
| Radiation Therapist (National Avg) | $48.35 |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Buena Park, CA earn a median of $178,522 per year (2026 est.), which is 67.79% higher than the national median of $106,398 and 1.30% above the California state average of $176,231.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $85.83/hr = $107,111/year (purchasing power: $94,704).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $178,518/year (purchasing power: $157,841).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$62.88/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$81.77/hr
2026 Current Est.
$85.83/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Buena Park (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62.88/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $64.20/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $63.53/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $68.81/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $74.62/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $72.69/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $81.77/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $85.83/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $90.08/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nuclear medicine technologists in Buena Park grew 30.0% from $62.88/hr (2019) to $81.77/hr (2025). At a 4.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $90.08/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem nuclear medicine technologists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Buena Park metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 4.96% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Nuclear Medicine Technologist in Buena Park
Analyzing the earnings potential in Buen Park reveals the substantial differences between part-time work and full-time commitments. For instance, a nuclear medicine technologist working 24 hours a week may earn much less annually than their full-time counterparts but enjoys greater scheduling flexibility, possibly trading off benefits like health insurance. Per diem technologists can command a wider range of pay, with average bill rates often falling between $55 and $80 per hour, depending on the setting. In outpatient oncology centers, PET/CT specialists generally find themselves between $65-$95 per hour, while theranostics-trained staff at advanced cancer treatment centers can secure premium pay. Technologists must carefully consider their employer types—hospitals typically provide more stable income with benefits, while outpatient facilities may offer higher hourly rates without the same health coverage. The key for local technologists lies in adeptly negotiating their hourly pay, ensuring they align their compensation with their expertise, employer, and personal financial needs.
More salary data for Buena Park, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for nuclear medicine technologists in Buena Park in 2026?
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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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 4.96% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for nuclear medicine technologists in Buena Park. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Buena Park is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.96%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for nuclear medicine technologists (SOC 29-2033).
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