Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Fullerton, CA: $181,090 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Fullerton, CA earns a median $181,090/year (≈ $87.06/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Fullerton's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $160,115 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.7% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Fullerton, California, nuclear medicine technologists are projected to earn a median annual salary of $181,090 in 2026, significantly higher than the national median of $106,398. This exceptional earning potential is reflective of the structural dynamics between hospitals and outpatient PET/CT imaging centers, with salaries varying based on institutional context. The salary range for this occupation spans from $134,419 at the 10th percentile to $244,591 at the 90th percentile, indicating both opportunity and competition in local job markets. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS state-level data, adjusted for regional cost variations, suggesting a strong outlook for professionals in this field within Fullerton, especially as demand for advanced imaging technologies continues to rise.
About the Fullerton Market
Salary estimated from California average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $134,419 | $64.62 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $150,836 | $72.52 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $181,090 | $87.06 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $211,826 | $101.84 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $244,591 | $117.60 |
Median Salary Position
70.20% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fullerton
In Fullerton, CA, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $110,172 (2026 est.). At $181,090, the local median is 70.2% above the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fullerton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Fullerton Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Fullerton median: $181,090/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fullerton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $176,329 | +2.70% more |
| National Average | $106,398 | +70.20% more |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Fullerton, CA earn a median of $181,090 per year (2026 est.), which is 70.20% higher than the national median of $106,398 and 2.70% above the California state average of $176,329.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fullerton has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fullerton, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $181,090 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $160,115 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$132,671
2025 BLS Actual
$172,532
2026 Current Est.
$181,090
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Fullerton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $132,671 | Actual |
| 2020 | $135,462 | Actual |
| 2021 | $134,050 | Actual |
| 2022 | $145,181 | Actual |
| 2023 | $157,435 | Actual |
| 2024 | $153,360 | Actual |
| 2025 | $172,532 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $181,090 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $190,072 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fullerton metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 30.0% from $132,671 (2019) to $172,532 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $190,072 by 2027 — a total increase of $57,401 (43.27%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fullerton 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) | $134,419 – $150,836 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $150,836 – $181,090 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $181,090 – $211,826 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $211,826 – $244,591 |
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 Fullerton
The job market for nuclear medicine technologists in Fullerton remains robust with about 25 professionals actively employed, yet economic factors must be considered. The cost-of-living index stands at 113.1, indicating that while salaries are competitive, higher expenses can affect purchasing power. Compensation differs among various employers, with hospitals generally offering higher wages compared to outpatient centers and mobile PET imaging companies. The disparity in pay often stems from the demand for a diverse skill set, particularly experience in both PET/CT and SPECT, which commands a premium pay. Technologists can maximize their earnings by pursuing additional training in theranostics or acquiring cross-training in CT, as well as seeking roles that offer on-call coverage opportunities. Understanding these factors can help professionals navigate their careers and enhance their nuclear medicine technologist salary in Fullerton, CA.
More salary data for Fullerton, 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 $172,532 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Fullerton 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 Fullerton 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