Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Burbank, CA: $174,110 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Burbank, CA earns a median $174,110/year (≈ $83.71/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Burbank's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $153,943 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Nuclear medicine technologists in Burbank, CA, are positioned to earn a notable median annual salary of $174,110 in 2026, significantly outpacing the national median of $106,398 by approximately 63.64%. This competitive salary reflects a wide earnings range, with the lower 10% earning around $127,206 and the top 90% reaching up to $232,522. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data, projected for 2026, adjusted for regional cost factors that make Burbank's job market unique. As healthcare structures evolve, technologists here find potential employers in either hospital settings or specialized outpatient PET/CT imaging centers, which can impact overall compensation due to differing operational models.
About the Burbank Market
Salary estimated from California average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $127,206 | $61.16 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $143,483 | $68.98 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $174,110 | $83.71 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $202,091 | $97.16 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $232,522 | $111.79 |
Median Salary Position
63.64% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Burbank
In Burbank, CA, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $105,316 (2026 est.). At $174,110, the local median is 63.64% above the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Burbank: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Burbank Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Burbank median: $174,110/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Burbank Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $176,224 | -1.20% less |
| National Average | $106,398 | +63.64% more |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Burbank, CA earn a median of $174,110 per year (2026 est.), which is 63.64% higher than the national median of $106,398 and 1.20% below the California state average of $176,224.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Burbank has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Burbank, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $174,110 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $153,943 — a 11.58% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$127,557
2025 BLS Actual
$165,882
2026 Current Est.
$174,110
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Burbank (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $127,557 | Actual |
| 2020 | $130,241 | Actual |
| 2021 | $128,883 | Actual |
| 2022 | $139,585 | Actual |
| 2023 | $151,367 | Actual |
| 2024 | $147,450 | Actual |
| 2025 | $165,882 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $174,110 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $182,746 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Burbank metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 30.0% from $127,557 (2019) to $165,882 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $182,746 by 2027 — a total increase of $55,189 (43.27%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Burbank 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) | $127,206 – $143,483 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $143,483 – $174,110 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $174,110 – $202,091 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $202,091 – $232,522 |
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 Burbank
With 22 nuclear medicine technologists currently employed in Burbank, the market reflects a strong but competitive environment. The cost of living index of 113.1 indicates that professionals here must consider their purchasing power when negotiating salaries. Among the various employers, hospital nuclear medicine departments often provide higher pay than outpatient operations, especially for those who can also handle SPECT imaging or have cross-training in CT. The growing emphasis on theranostics, particularly with therapies like Lutathera and Pluvicto, further elevates the salary potential for those well-versed in these areas. To maximize earnings, technologists are advised to diversify their skills, pursue advanced certifications from bodies like NMTCB or ARRT(N), and stay informed about evolving practices within the nuclear medicine field.
More salary data for Burbank, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nuclear medicine technologists make in Burbank, CA in 2026?
Is Burbank, CA a good place to work as a nuclear medicine technologist?
Can nuclear medicine technologists make $100K in Burbank?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted nuclear medicine technologist salary in Burbank?
How much does a nuclear medicine technologist make per hour in Burbank?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in California
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 $165,882 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Burbank 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 Burbank 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