Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay in Porterville, CA: $83.88 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nuclear medicine technologist working in Porterville, CA runs $83.88 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $174,474 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Weighted against Porterville's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $74.17 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $104,687 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Nuclear medicine technologists in Porterville, California, can expect an attractive median hourly pay of $83.88, significantly higher than the national hourly median of $51.15. This competitive pay rate presents an excellent opportunity for both full-time professionals and those seeking part-time or per-diem positions. For instance, a part-time technologist working three days a week would have the potential to earn approximately $60,000 annually while enjoying a more flexible schedule. The hourly spectrum ranges from $61.53 for entry-level positions to $108.16 for top earners, which reflects the variety of skill levels and specialties available in settings such as hospital nuclear medicine suites and outpatient PET/CT imaging centers. The figures provided are derived from estimated annual salary data and point to a healthy demand for these professionals in Porterville.
About the Porterville 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) | $61.53 | $492.22 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $73.85 | $590.80 |
| Median (P50) | $83.88 | $671.07 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $95.41 | $763.27 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $108.16 | $865.29 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Porterville
Based on $83.88/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $83.88/hr, a nuclear medicine technologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Porterville, CA can expect to earn approximately $174,479 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $100,661. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Porterville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Porterville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,355.36 | $14,540 | $174,479 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $2,013.22 | $8,724 | $104,687 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,342.14 | $5,816 | $69,792 |
Compare NMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nuclear Medicine Technologist (Porterville) | $83.88 |
| 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 Porterville, CA earn a median of $174,474 per year (2026 est.), which is 63.98% higher than the national median of $106,398 and 1.00% below the California state average of $176,236.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $83.88/hr = $104,687/year (purchasing power: $92,562).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $174,479/year (purchasing power: $154,269).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$61.46/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$79.92/hr
2026 Current Est.
$83.88/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Porterville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61.46/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $62.75/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $62.09/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $67.25/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $72.93/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $71.04/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $79.92/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $83.88/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $88.04/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nuclear medicine technologists in Porterville grew 30.0% from $61.46/hr (2019) to $79.92/hr (2025). At a 4.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $88.04/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 Porterville 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 Porterville
Looking deeper into the earning possibilities, a nuclear medicine technologist working part-time could take home significant income while balancing other life commitments. Those in per-diem roles may find opportunities billing between $55-$80/hr, while specialized PET/CT technologists and theranostics professionals can earn even more, with rates reaching $65-$95/hr at specialized oncology centers. Different types of employers, from hospital nuclear medicine departments to VA medical centers, show variations in pay, with theranostics centers often commanding premiums for advanced training. While some professionals may prioritize hourly pay over benefits, navigating this decision is essential, as straightforward contracts often lead to steady earnings. Nuclear medicine technologists in Porterville should approach negotiations with clarity about their worth, leveraging their credentials and specialty skills from organizations like the SNMMI-TS and NMTCB to advocate for appropriate compensation.
More salary data for Porterville, 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 Porterville. 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 Porterville 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