Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay in Union City, CA: $84.94 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nuclear medicine technologist working in Union City, CA runs $84.94 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $176,680 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Weighted against Union City's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $75.11 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $106,010 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Union City, California, a nuclear medicine technologist commands a remarkable hourly rate of $84.94, significantly surpassing the national median of $51.15. This strong pay scale reflects the growing demand for professionals in specialized settings such as hospital nuclear medicine departments and PET/CT imaging centers. For part-time workers operating three days a week, or those taking on per-diem roles, the financial rewards are notably attractive; a technologist working part-time can still enjoy substantial earnings, ranging from $64.02 at entry-level positions to $108.58 for top earners. These hourly rates, estimated from projected annual earnings, position nuclear medicine technologists favorably within CA's healthcare landscape, illustrating the value of their skills in a field where expertise in advanced imaging techniques is increasingly critical.
About the Union City 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) | $64.02 | $512.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $74.21 | $593.65 |
| Median (P50) | $84.94 | $679.55 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $96.04 | $768.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $108.58 | $868.65 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Union City
Based on $84.94/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $84.94/hr, a nuclear medicine technologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Union City, CA can expect to earn approximately $176,684 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $101,933. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Union City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Union City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,397.77 | $14,724 | $176,684 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $2,038.66 | $8,834 | $106,010 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,359.11 | $5,889 | $70,674 |
Compare NMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nuclear Medicine Technologist (Union City) | $84.94 |
| 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 Union City, CA earn a median of $176,680 per year (2026 est.), which is 66.06% higher than the national median of $106,398 and 0.20% above the California state average of $176,328.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $84.94/hr = $106,010/year (purchasing power: $93,731).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $176,684/year (purchasing power: $156,219).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$62.23/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$80.93/hr
2026 Current Est.
$84.94/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Union City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62.23/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $63.54/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $62.88/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $68.10/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $73.85/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $71.94/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $80.93/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $84.94/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $89.16/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nuclear medicine technologists in Union City grew 30.0% from $62.23/hr (2019) to $80.93/hr (2025). At a 4.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $89.16/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 Union City 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 Union City
Examining the part-time earning potential reveals that a nuclear medicine technologist working 24 hours each week can expect to take home nearly $106,000 annually, a competitive salary compared to full-time roles. For those pursuing per-diem positions, rates often range between $55 and $80 per hour, with specialized technologists in outpatient oncology and theranostics settings earning even more, sometimes hitting $95 hourly. This variance points to different employer types in Union City, such as VA medical centers, outpatient clinics, and mobile PET imaging services, where hourly pay can fluctuate significantly based on services provided and patient volumes. Some professionals may choose lesser hourly rates in exchange for benefits like health insurance, weighing their options according to personal needs and financial goals. For those negotiating their hourly pay, understanding these dynamics will be crucial in achieving a balance between compensation and job security.
More salary data for Union City, 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 Union City. 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 Union City 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