Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay in Sacramento, CA: $87.43 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nuclear medicine technologist working in Sacramento, CA runs $87.43 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $181,854 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Weighted against Sacramento's regional price level (BEA RPP 106.7, 7% above national), each hour of work buys what $81.96 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $109,115 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Sacramento, the median hourly pay for nuclear medicine technologists is projected to be $87.43 in 2026, significantly higher than the national hourly median of $51.15. This robust hourly rate offers considerable earning potential for part-time professionals who might work three days a week, allowing for a balance between work and other commitments. With a salary range extending from $62.52 for entry-level positions to $96.79 for experienced technologists, opportunities abound within various work environments such as hospital nuclear medicine suites, PET/CT imaging centers, and mobile PET trailers. The data presented here is sourced from projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data and illustrates the competitive nature of the industry in Sacramento, CA.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $62.52 | $500.20 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $73.94 | $591.55 |
| Median (P50) | $87.43 | $699.45 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $93.84 | $750.76 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $96.79 | $774.35 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Sacramento
Based on $87.43/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $87.43/hr, a nuclear medicine technologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Sacramento, CA can expect to earn approximately $181,858 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $104,918. With a cost-of-living index of 106.67 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Sacramento.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Sacramento
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,497.27 | $15,155 | $181,858 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $2,098.36 | $9,093 | $109,115 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,398.91 | $6,062 | $72,743 |
Compare NMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nuclear Medicine Technologist (Sacramento) | $87.43 |
| 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 Sacramento, CA earn a median of $181,854 per year (2026 est.), which is 70.92% higher than the national median of $106,398 and 3.20% above the California state average of $176,215.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $87.43/hr = $109,115/year (purchasing power: $102,292).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $181,858/year (purchasing power: $170,486).
CoL index: 106.67 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$61.80/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$83.30/hr
2026 Current Est.
$87.43/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Sacramento (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61.80/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $66.26/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $63.25/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $66.19/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $77.48/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $80.30/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $83.30/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $87.43/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $91.77/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nuclear medicine technologists in Sacramento grew 34.8% from $61.80/hr (2019) to $83.30/hr (2025). At a 4.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $91.77/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 Sacramento 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 Sacramento
When considering the financial implications of part-time work versus full-time employment, a nuclear medicine technologist scheduled for a three-day week would take home significantly less than their full-time counterparts, but still could command a solid income. Referring specifically to per-diem arrangements, workers in the Sacramento area can typically expect to secure pay ranging from $55 to $80 per hour, with PET/CT technicians in outpatient oncology settings potentially earning as much as $95. The hourly rates can vary depending on the type of facility; for example, those in theranostics centers providing advanced therapies often see higher compensation. However, many technologists face the dilemma of choosing between higher hourly rates without benefits and lower rates that offer health insurance and stability. For those engaged in the hourly workforce in Sacramento, understanding the differentials among employers—from hospitals to private practices—can facilitate effective salary negotiations, enabling a clearer picture of one's worth in the growing field.
More salary data for Sacramento, 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 Sacramento. 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