Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay in South Gate, CA: $83.49 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nuclear medicine technologist working in South Gate, CA runs $83.49 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $173,650 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Weighted against South Gate's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $73.82 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $104,190 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Nuclear medicine technologists in South Gate, California, can expect a median hourly rate of $83.49, significantly surpassing the national median of $51.15. This competitive pay reflects the intense demand for professionals in various settings such as hospital nuclear medicine suites, PET/CT imaging centers, and theranostics infusion suites. For part-time technologists working three days a week, this translates to a solid income possibility, even if they're not clocking in full-time hours. Entry-level positions may offer lower pay, with wages around $66.94 per hour, while top earners in the field can make as much as $112.17 hourly, depending on their expertise and specialization.
About the South Gate 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) | $66.94 | $535.55 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $71.20 | $569.64 |
| Median (P50) | $83.49 | $667.88 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $97.67 | $781.32 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $112.17 | $897.37 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in South Gate
Based on $83.49/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $83.49/hr, a nuclear medicine technologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in South Gate, CA can expect to earn approximately $173,649 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $100,182. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in South Gate.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in South Gate
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,339.41 | $14,471 | $173,649 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $2,003.64 | $8,682 | $104,190 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,335.76 | $5,788 | $69,460 |
Compare NMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nuclear Medicine Technologist (South Gate) | $83.49 |
| 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 South Gate, CA earn a median of $173,650 per year (2026 est.), which is 63.21% higher than the national median of $106,398 and 1.50% below the California state average of $176,294.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $83.49/hr = $104,190/year (purchasing power: $92,122).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $173,649/year (purchasing power: $153,536).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$61.16/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$79.54/hr
2026 Current Est.
$83.49/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in South Gate (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61.16/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $62.45/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $61.80/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $66.93/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $72.58/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $70.70/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $79.54/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $83.49/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $87.63/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nuclear medicine technologists in South Gate grew 30.0% from $61.16/hr (2019) to $79.54/hr (2025). At a 4.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $87.63/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 South Gate 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 South Gate
Part-time nuclear medicine technologists aiming to balance work and personal commitments can expect to take home about $103,836 annually by working 24 hours a week at the median rate. In contrast, per diem nuclear medicine technologists are typically sought after for their flexibility, with pay rates that can range from $55 to $80 per hour; specialized PET/CT techs often earn between $65 and $95, particularly in outpatient oncology centers. Employment settings influence hourly rates in South Gate; roles in hospital nuclear medicine departments and high-acuity settings tend to command higher wages compared to outpatient centers. Many technologists face the choice between slightly lower hourly rates with benefits versus higher pay without health insurance. When negotiating salaries, it's advantageous for workers to emphasize unique skills and certifications related to emerging specialties, particularly in PET/CT and theranostics, which are experiencing burgeoning growth in South Gate and beyond.
More salary data for South Gate, 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 South Gate. 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 South Gate 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