Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay in Riverside, CA: $76.14 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nuclear medicine technologist working in Riverside, CA runs $76.14 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $158,353 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Weighted against Riverside's regional price level (BEA RPP 106.4, 6% above national), each hour of work buys what $71.53 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $95,020 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Riverside, California, the nuclear medicine technologist hourly pay stands at a median rate of $76.14, significantly higher than the national hourly median of $51.15. This robust hourly compensation allows for flexible work arrangements, making it an attractive option for part-time technologists working three days a week in various settings, including hospital nuclear medicine suites and mobile PET trailers. In this profession, entry-level technologists can expect hourly rates starting from around $52.22, with seasoned professionals earning as much as $83.82. The official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data for 2026 indicates a growing demand for nuclear medicine technologists, a trend reflected in both the competitive pay and the versatility of the roles available in Riverside.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52.22 | $417.74 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $64.28 | $514.22 |
| Median (P50) | $76.14 | $609.10 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $80.90 | $647.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $83.82 | $670.57 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Riverside
Based on $76.14/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $76.14/hr, a nuclear medicine technologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Riverside, CA can expect to earn approximately $158,367 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $91,366. With a cost-of-living index of 106.44 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Riverside.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Riverside
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,045.52 | $13,197 | $158,367 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,827.31 | $7,918 | $95,020 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,218.21 | $5,279 | $63,347 |
Compare NMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nuclear Medicine Technologist (Riverside) | $76.14 |
| 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 Riverside, CA earn a median of $158,353 per year (2026 est.), which is 48.83% higher than the national median of $106,398 and 10.20% below the California state average of $176,340.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $76.14/hr = $95,020/year (purchasing power: $89,269).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $158,367/year (purchasing power: $148,782).
CoL index: 106.442 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$48.14/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$72.54/hr
2026 Current Est.
$76.14/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+66.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Riverside (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48.14/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $54.91/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $48.18/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $58.70/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $62.15/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $64.85/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $72.54/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $76.14/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $79.91/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nuclear medicine technologists in Riverside grew 50.7% from $48.14/hr (2019) to $72.54/hr (2025). At a 4.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $79.91/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 Riverside 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 Riverside
For those considering part-time positions, a nuclear medicine technologist working 24 hours a week could bring home a substantial income, particularly when comparing their earnings to full-time counterparts. Notably, per diem nuclear medicine technologist pay in Riverside can range from $55 to $80 per hour, depending on the specific settings like outpatient oncology centers, where PET/CT technologists can command $65 to $95 per hour. Further, those with specialized training in theranostics, such as administering radiopharmaceutical therapies, may receive even higher compensation at quaternary cancer centers. Hourly rates naturally fluctuate based on the type of employer in Riverside; hospital roles may offer lower rates with benefits, while private practices or mobile services might provide higher hourly wages without health insurance. When negotiating for pay, it's crucial for nuclear medicine technologists to weigh the benefits against hourly rates and consider current market trends, particularly in light of the growing demand for advanced imaging techniques.
More salary data for Riverside, 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 Riverside. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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