Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Berkeley, CA: $176,945 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Berkeley, CA earns a median $176,945/year (≈ $85.07/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Berkeley's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $156,450 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.4% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Berkeley, California, 2026 projections indicate that individuals working as nuclear medicine technologists can expect a median annual salary of $176,945. This figure significantly surpasses the national median of $106,398, representing a notable premium in pay for local professionals. The salary range is broad, with entry-level positions starting around $138,759 and experienced technologists earning up to $230,590. Such compensation reflects local estimates based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics state-level data and regional cost adjustments. As demand for specialists, particularly in theranostics, continues to rise, this trend positions Berkeley as a competitive market for nuclear medicine technologist salary in Berkeley.
About the Berkeley Market
Salary estimated from California average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $138,759 | $66.71 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $153,001 | $73.56 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $176,945 | $85.07 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $201,985 | $97.11 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $230,590 | $110.86 |
Median Salary Position
66.30% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Berkeley
In Berkeley, CA, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $91,831 (2026 est.). At $176,945, the local median is 66.3% above the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Berkeley: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Berkeley Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Berkeley median: $176,945/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Berkeley Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $176,240 | +0.40% more |
| National Average | $106,398 | +66.30% more |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Berkeley, CA earn a median of $176,945 per year (2026 est.), which is 66.30% higher than the national median of $106,398 and 0.40% above the California state average of $176,240.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Berkeley has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Berkeley, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $176,945 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $156,450 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$129,634
2025 BLS Actual
$168,583
2026 Current Est.
$176,945
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Berkeley (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $129,634 | Actual |
| 2020 | $132,362 | Actual |
| 2021 | $130,982 | Actual |
| 2022 | $141,858 | Actual |
| 2023 | $153,832 | Actual |
| 2024 | $149,850 | Actual |
| 2025 | $168,583 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $176,945 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $185,721 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Berkeley metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 30.0% from $129,634 (2019) to $168,583 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $185,721 by 2027 — a total increase of $56,087 (43.27%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Berkeley 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $138,759 – $153,001 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $153,001 – $176,945 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $176,945 – $201,985 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $201,985 – $230,590 |
NMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nuclear medicine technologist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Job Market in Berkeley
Exploring the job market further, Berkeley is home to 23 nuclear medicine technologists, indicating a concentrated field of professionals. While the cost-of-living index sits at 113.1, higher than the national average, this factors into overall take-home purchasing power. Employers offering the most competitive pay include local hospital nuclear medicine departments and outpatient PET/CT imaging centers, which focus on cutting-edge theranostics therapies like lutetium-177. The variation in salaries often arises from the mix of roles—there's a premium for technologists trained in PET/CT compared to those who only hold SPECT credentials. Additionally, on-call coverage and CT cross-training can further affect compensation levels. To maximize earnings, emerging professionals should consider gaining certification in PET/CT and seeking roles that prioritize theranostics experience in a market that rewards specialized skills.
More salary data for Berkeley, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can nuclear medicine technologists make $100K in Berkeley?
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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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $168,583 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Berkeley metropolitan area. A 4.96% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Berkeley 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