Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay in San Luis Obispo, CA: $82.59 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nuclear medicine technologist working in San Luis Obispo, CA runs $82.59 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $171,784 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Weighted against San Luis Obispo's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $73.03 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $103,076 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Nuclear medicine technologists in San Luis Obispo, CA, earn a median hourly pay of $82.59, which significantly surpasses the national hourly median of $51.15. For part-time professionals working around three days a week, this rate translates into a substantial income, particularly when working in diverse environments such as hospital nuclear medicine suites and PET/CT imaging centers. With an hourly range extending from $63.03 to $108.97, entry-level technicians can still earn a competitive wage while those at the higher end, particularly in specialized roles involving theranostics, significantly increase their earnings. These figures are based on 2025 BLS data, projected into 2026, offering a glimpse of the financial opportunities available for nuclear medicine technologists in the region.
About the San Luis Obispo 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) | $63.03 | $504.23 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $69.28 | $554.27 |
| Median (P50) | $82.59 | $660.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $96.15 | $769.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $108.97 | $871.76 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in San Luis Obispo
Based on $82.59/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $82.59/hr, a nuclear medicine technologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in San Luis Obispo, CA can expect to earn approximately $171,793 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $99,112. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in San Luis Obispo.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in San Luis Obispo
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,303.72 | $14,316 | $171,793 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,982.23 | $8,590 | $103,076 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,321.49 | $5,726 | $68,717 |
Compare NMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nuclear Medicine Technologist (San Luis Obispo) | $82.59 |
| 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 San Luis Obispo, CA earn a median of $171,784 per year (2026 est.), which is 61.45% higher than the national median of $106,398 and 2.60% below the California state average of $176,369.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $82.59/hr = $103,076/year (purchasing power: $91,137).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $171,793/year (purchasing power: $151,895).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$60.51/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$78.69/hr
2026 Current Est.
$82.59/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in San Luis Obispo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $60.51/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $61.78/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $61.14/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $66.22/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $71.80/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $69.94/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $78.69/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $82.59/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $86.69/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nuclear medicine technologists in San Luis Obispo grew 30.0% from $60.51/hr (2019) to $78.69/hr (2025). At a 4.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $86.69/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 San Luis Obispo 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 San Luis Obispo
The earning potential for part-time nuclear medicine technologists on a three-day work week (24 hours) can result in approximately $102,075 annually, providing a solid income compared to working full-time hours. Per diem nuclear medicine technologists typically command rates between $55 and $80 per hour, with specialized PET/CT techs in outpatient oncology centers earning upwards of $65 to $95 per hour. The salary landscape also varies according to employer type, as positions in hospitals, outpatient imaging centers, and theranostics facilities can yield different hourly rates. While some may choose positions with lower hourly pay but health benefits, higher hourly rates without benefits remain appealing to many. For those negotiating their pay, understanding local industry standards can help secure better compensation in this evolving field, especially in light of the growth of PET/CT and theranostics.
More salary data for San Luis Obispo, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for nuclear medicine technologists in San Luis Obispo in 2026?
How much do part-time nuclear medicine technologists make in San Luis Obispo?
Are nuclear medicine technologists in San Luis Obispo paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time nuclear medicine technologist make per year in San Luis Obispo?
Do nuclear medicine technologists earn more per hour working part-time in San Luis Obispo?
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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 San Luis Obispo. 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 San Luis Obispo 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