Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Chino, CA: $178,243 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Chino, CA earns a median $178,243/year (≈ $85.69/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Chino's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $157,598 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.1% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Nuclear medicine technologists in Chino, California can expect to earn a median annual salary of $178,243 in 2026. This figure significantly surpasses the national median, reflecting a 67.52% premium on the typical earnings across the United States. The projected salary range for this role spans from $136,709 at the 10th percentile to $230,579 at the 90th percentile, illustrating the various levels of compensation that reflect experience, specialization, and skill sets among technologists in the area. These estimates, drawn from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional economic conditions, underscore the special emphasis on advanced therapies like theranostics, which can further enhance earnings potential in Chino's job market.
About the Chino Market
Salary estimated from California average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $136,709 | $65.73 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $150,850 | $72.53 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $178,243 | $85.69 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $203,585 | $97.88 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $230,579 | $110.86 |
Median Salary Position
67.52% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chino
In Chino, CA, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $93,870 (2026 est.). At $178,243, the local median is 67.52% above the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Chino: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Chino Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Chino median: $178,243/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Chino Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $176,304 | +1.10% more |
| National Average | $106,398 | +67.52% more |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Chino, CA earn a median of $178,243 per year (2026 est.), which is 67.52% higher than the national median of $106,398 and 1.10% above the California state average of $176,304.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Chino has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Chino, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $178,243 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $157,598 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$130,586
2025 BLS Actual
$169,820
2026 Current Est.
$178,243
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Chino (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $130,586 | Actual |
| 2020 | $133,333 | Actual |
| 2021 | $131,943 | Actual |
| 2022 | $142,899 | Actual |
| 2023 | $154,961 | Actual |
| 2024 | $150,950 | Actual |
| 2025 | $169,820 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $178,243 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $187,084 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Chino metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 30.0% from $130,586 (2019) to $169,820 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $187,084 by 2027 — a total increase of $56,498 (43.26%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chino 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) | $136,709 – $150,850 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $150,850 – $178,243 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $178,243 – $203,585 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $203,585 – $230,579 |
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 Chino
Currently, there are 17 nuclear medicine technologists employed in Chino, highlighting a localized demand in this field. With a cost-of-living index of 113.1, the relatively high expenses can impact take-home pay and purchasing power. Employers that tend to pay the highest include hospital nuclear medicine departments and specialized theranostics centers that focus on lutetium-177 therapies, as these settings often require SPECT/CT credentials along with additional on-call duties. The disparity in wages can result from the varying complexities of procedures performed, with technologists skilled in PET/CT generally commanding higher salaries than those focused solely on SPECT processes. For aspiring technologists in the region, gaining cross-training in CT scans and building experience in theranostics can be advantageous for maximizing pay in Chino's competitive market.
More salary data for Chino, 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
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 $169,820 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Chino 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 Chino 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