Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay in Redwood City, CA: $82.90 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nuclear medicine technologist working in Redwood City, CA runs $82.90 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $172,436 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Weighted against Redwood City's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $73.30 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $103,456 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Nuclear medicine technologists in Redwood City, CA, are projected to earn a median hourly rate of $82.90 in 2026. This rate significantly surpasses the national average of $51.15, reflecting the higher cost of living in the area. For those working part-time, such as three days a week, this pay equates to a robust income that can support a sustainable lifestyle. Additionally, per diem nuclear medicine technologists may find themselves earning within a range of $65.80 to $109.97 per hour, depending on their experience and the specific settings they work in, which include hospital nuclear medicine suites, PET/CT imaging centers, cardiac stress test rooms, and theranostics infusion suites. The hourly compensation varies widely, from entry-level positions earning on the lower end to seasoned professionals achieving top-tier hourly rates frequently associated with specialized roles.
About the Redwood City 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) | $65.80 | $526.40 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $70.01 | $560.07 |
| Median (P50) | $82.90 | $663.18 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $96.32 | $770.57 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $109.97 | $879.73 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Redwood City
Based on $82.90/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $82.90/hr, a nuclear medicine technologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Redwood City, CA can expect to earn approximately $172,427 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $99,477. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Redwood City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Redwood City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,315.90 | $14,369 | $172,427 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,989.54 | $8,621 | $103,456 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,326.36 | $5,748 | $68,971 |
Compare NMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nuclear Medicine Technologist (Redwood City) | $82.90 |
| 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 Redwood City, CA earn a median of $172,436 per year (2026 est.), which is 62.07% higher than the national median of $106,398 and 2.20% below the California state average of $176,315.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $82.90/hr = $103,456/year (purchasing power: $91,473).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $172,427/year (purchasing power: $152,455).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$60.73/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$78.98/hr
2026 Current Est.
$82.90/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Redwood City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $60.73/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $62.01/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $61.36/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $66.46/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $72.07/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $70.21/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $78.98/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $82.90/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $87.01/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nuclear medicine technologists in Redwood City grew 30.0% from $60.73/hr (2019) to $78.98/hr (2025). At a 4.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $87.01/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 Redwood City 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 Redwood City
Considering the financial dynamics for nuclear medicine technologists in Redwood City, those opting for part-time work can anticipate a substantial annual income that reflects their reduced hours compared to a full-time schedule. For example, a technologist working 24 hours a week could earn nearly $103,000 annually, providing significant take-home pay. Per-diem workers often have varied earning experiences; while they may make between $55 and $95 per hour depending on their specific role—PET/CT techs may see hourly rates that peak due to the growing demand for these services—some choose lower hourly rates with full-time positions that include health benefits. Factors such as employer type create notable differences in hourly rates, as hospitals and outpatient centers tend to have specific budgets and benefits. Those negotiating for roles in Redwood City should advocate for their specialties and be aware of the competitive landscape, particularly where theranostics training is relevant, as it can command higher pay.
More salary data for Redwood City, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for nuclear medicine technologists in Redwood City 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 Redwood City. 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 Redwood City 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