Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay in Chino, CA: $85.69 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nuclear medicine technologist working in Chino, CA runs $85.69 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $178,243 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Weighted against Chino's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $75.76 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $106,940 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Chino, California, the nuclear medicine technologist hourly pay reaches a median of $85.69, significantly surpassing the national median of $51.15. This robust wage reflects the high demand for skilled professionals in settings such as hospital nuclear medicine suites, PET/CT imaging centers, and specialized cardiac facilities. Part-time workers, those clocking in three days a week, can anticipate a substantial financial return, whilst per-diem roles in the region allow flexibility and competitive pay. Entry-level positions may start around $65.73 per hour, with experienced technologists earning up to $110.86 as they move closer to the upper tier of the pay scale. The dynamic roles within the field ensure that these hourly rates, derived from projected earnings based on 2025 BLS data, represent a vital aspect of career planning for current and aspiring nuclear medicine technologists.
About the Chino 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) | $65.73 | $525.81 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $72.53 | $580.22 |
| Median (P50) | $85.69 | $685.51 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $97.88 | $783.00 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $110.86 | $886.87 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Chino
Based on $85.69/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $85.69/hr, a nuclear medicine technologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Chino, CA can expect to earn approximately $178,234 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $102,827. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Chino.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Chino
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,427.57 | $14,853 | $178,234 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $2,056.54 | $8,912 | $106,940 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,371.03 | $5,941 | $71,294 |
Compare NMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nuclear Medicine Technologist (Chino) | $85.69 |
| 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 Chino, CA earn a median of $178,243 per year (2026 est.), which is 67.52% higher than the national median of $106,398 and 1.10% above the California state average of $176,304.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $85.69/hr = $106,940/year (purchasing power: $94,554).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $178,234/year (purchasing power: $157,590).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$62.78/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$81.64/hr
2026 Current Est.
$85.69/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Chino (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62.78/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $64.10/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $63.43/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $68.70/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $74.50/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $72.57/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $81.64/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $85.69/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $89.94/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nuclear medicine technologists in Chino grew 30.0% from $62.78/hr (2019) to $81.64/hr (2025). At a 4.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $89.94/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 Chino 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 Chino
Focusing on part-time earning potential, a nuclear medicine technologist working 24 hours per week could see annual earnings approaching $107,103, a figure that many full-time professionals may envy. The per diem landscape in Chino offers intriguing variations; many locum technologists frequently charge between $55 and $80 per hour, while specialists in PET/CT might command rates from $65 to $95 per hour in outpatient oncology settings. The specialization into theranostics is increasingly lucrative, with those trained in therapies such as Pluvicto or Lutathera enjoying enhanced hourly rates. Nevertheless, a balance must be struck between hourly pay and benefits. Many technologists might opt for roles with slightly lower pay in exchange for health insurance—an essential consideration in this field. For those negotiating positions, emphasizing experience and specialized training can provide leverage to achieve favorable hourly rates while considering the type of employer—hospitals or private practices—where rates can differ significantly.
More salary data for Chino, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Chino. 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 Chino 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