Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay in Santa Ana, CA: $89.79 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nuclear medicine technologist working in Santa Ana, CA runs $89.79 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $186,781 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Weighted against Santa Ana's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $79.39 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $112,062 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, nuclear medicine technologists in Santa Ana, California, are projected to earn a median hourly pay of $89.79, significantly higher than the national median of $51.15. This attractive hourly rate allows part-time workers, who may opt for a schedule of three days a week, to still enjoy a substantial income while focusing on work-life balance. For per-diem roles in settings like hospital nuclear medicine suites, outpatient PET/CT imaging centers, and theranostics infusion suites, the compensation varies widely; entry-level technicians may earn around $63.92 per hour, while seasoned professionals can command up to $123.11 hourly. These rates illustrate a lucrative landscape for technicians in the field, reflecting growing demand and evolving technology across various imaging modalities.
About the Santa Ana 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) | $63.92 | $511.37 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $72.87 | $582.99 |
| Median (P50) | $89.79 | $718.35 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $105.76 | $846.06 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $123.11 | $984.86 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Santa Ana
Based on $89.79/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $89.79/hr, a nuclear medicine technologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Santa Ana, CA can expect to earn approximately $186,770 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $107,752. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Santa Ana.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Santa Ana
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,591.73 | $15,564 | $186,770 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $2,155.04 | $9,339 | $112,062 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,436.69 | $6,226 | $74,708 |
Compare NMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nuclear Medicine Technologist (Santa Ana) | $89.79 |
| 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 Santa Ana, CA earn a median of $186,781 per year (2026 est.), which is 75.55% higher than the national median of $106,398 and 6.00% above the California state average of $176,208.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $89.79/hr = $112,062/year (purchasing power: $99,082).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $186,770/year (purchasing power: $165,137).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$65.78/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$85.55/hr
2026 Current Est.
$89.79/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Santa Ana (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $65.78/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $67.17/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $66.47/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $71.99/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $78.06/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $76.05/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $85.55/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $89.79/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $94.25/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nuclear medicine technologists in Santa Ana grew 30.0% from $65.78/hr (2019) to $85.55/hr (2025). At a 4.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $94.25/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 Santa Ana 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 Santa Ana
Considering part-time work averaging 24 hours a week, a nuclear medicine technologist could expect a substantial annual income while allowing for personal commitments. Alternatively, per-diem or agency positions offer flexible schedules with varying hourly rates, often ranging from $55 to $95, depending on specialization and location. For instance, PET/CT technologists in outpatient oncology centers frequently earn upwards of $65, while those trained in theranostics may secure premium pay due to the advanced nature of their work. In Santa Ana, hourly rates often differ across employer types, with hospitals generally offering stable salaries that may include benefits, while private practices might provide higher pay but fewer perks. For those negotiating hourly wages, understanding the local market, including what facilities are willing to pay, can significantly enhance earning potential; knowing the premium commands in the burgeoning fields of PET/CT and theranostics also helps in securing a favorable rate.
More salary data for Santa Ana, 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 Santa Ana. 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 Santa Ana 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