Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay in Santa Clara, CA: $102.07 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nuclear medicine technologist working in Santa Clara, CA runs $102.07 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $212,317 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Weighted against Santa Clara's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $90.25 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $127,388 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Santa Clara, California, nuclear medicine technologists earn a notable median hourly rate of $102.07, which is significantly higher than the national median of $51.15. This premium pay reflects the increasing demand for qualified professionals within various healthcare environments, such as hospital nuclear medicine suites, outpatient PET/CT imaging centers, and theranostics infusion suites. Entry-level nuclear medicine technologists can expect to earn around $76.13 per hour, while top earners in specialized settings may command rates as high as $134.00 per hour. Those pursuing part-time or per-diem work within this field can take advantage of the lucrative hourly rates, enhancing their income based on hours worked, possibly leading to overall higher earnings compared to full-time commitments in other professions.
About the Santa Clara 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) | $76.13 | $609.02 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $88.84 | $710.71 |
| Median (P50) | $102.07 | $816.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $117.10 | $936.83 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $134.00 | $1072.02 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Santa Clara
Based on $102.07/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $102.07/hr, a nuclear medicine technologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Santa Clara, CA can expect to earn approximately $212,313 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $122,488. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Santa Clara.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Santa Clara
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $4,082.94 | $17,693 | $212,313 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $2,449.77 | $10,616 | $127,388 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,633.18 | $7,077 | $84,925 |
Compare NMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nuclear Medicine Technologist (Santa Clara) | $102.07 |
| 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 Clara, CA earn a median of $212,317 per year (2026 est.), which is 99.55% higher than the national median of $106,398 and 20.40% above the California state average of $176,343.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $102.07/hr = $127,388/year (purchasing power: $112,633).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $212,313/year (purchasing power: $187,722).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$74.78/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$97.25/hr
2026 Current Est.
$102.07/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Santa Clara (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $74.78/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $76.36/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $75.56/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $81.83/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $88.74/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $73.71/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $97.25/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $102.07/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $107.14/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nuclear medicine technologists in Santa Clara grew 30.0% from $74.78/hr (2019) to $97.25/hr (2025). At a 4.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $107.14/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 Clara 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 Clara
Part-time nuclear medicine technologists working three days a week typically take home an annual income significantly different from their full-time counterparts, primarily due to their flexible schedules. Hourly workers, especially per-diem nuclear medicine technologists, frequently bill between $55-$80 per hour, with specialized PET/CT technicians at outpatient oncology centers earning from $65 to $95 hourly. Those trained in theranostics therapies can attract even higher premiums, reflecting the complexities of modern radiopharmaceutical treatments. Variability in hourly pay across employer types, from hospital departments to mobile imaging companies, affects earning potential. While some may opt for lower hourly rates with benefits like healthcare access, others choose to accept higher pay without benefits. For those in Santa Clara, understanding workplace expectations and negotiating effectively can be vital for maximizing pay opportunities in this growing field.
More salary data for Santa Clara, 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 Clara. 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 Clara 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