Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Hayward, CA: $178,597 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Hayward, CA earns a median $178,597/year (≈ $85.87/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Hayward's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $157,911 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Hayward, California, the compensation landscape for nuclear medicine technologists reflects a strong upward trend, with a median salary projected to reach $178,597 in 2026. The pay range spans from $129,185 at the 10th percentile to $247,229 at the 90th percentile, highlighting the significant earning potential based on various factors, including credentials and specialized experience. These figures, derived from BLS state-level data adjusted for regional cost disparities, illustrate a key distinction in this job market: those credentialed in both PET/CT and SPECT modalities tend to command higher wages than their SPECT-only counterparts. With the growing demand for advanced imaging techniques and the incorporation of theranostics, Hayward’s nuclear medicine technologists are positioned favorably within the healthcare system.
About the Hayward Market
Salary estimated from California average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $129,185 | $62.10 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $156,399 | $75.19 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $178,597 | $85.87 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $212,892 | $102.36 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $247,229 | $118.86 |
Median Salary Position
67.86% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hayward
In Hayward, CA, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $118,044 (2026 est.). At $178,597, the local median is 67.86% above the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Hayward: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Hayward Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Hayward median: $178,597/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Hayward Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $176,305 | +1.30% more |
| National Average | $106,398 | +67.86% more |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Hayward, CA earn a median of $178,597 per year (2026 est.), which is 67.86% higher than the national median of $106,398 and 1.30% above the California state average of $176,305.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Hayward has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Hayward, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $178,597 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $157,911 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$130,845
2025 BLS Actual
$170,157
2026 Current Est.
$178,597
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Hayward (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $130,845 | Actual |
| 2020 | $133,598 | Actual |
| 2021 | $132,204 | Actual |
| 2022 | $143,182 | Actual |
| 2023 | $155,268 | Actual |
| 2024 | $151,249 | Actual |
| 2025 | $170,157 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $178,597 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $187,455 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hayward metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 30.0% from $130,845 (2019) to $170,157 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $187,455 by 2027 — a total increase of $56,610 (43.26%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hayward 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) | $129,185 – $156,399 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $156,399 – $178,597 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $178,597 – $212,892 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $212,892 – $247,229 |
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 Hayward
The local job market indicates solid employment opportunities, with 23 nuclear medicine technologists currently working in Hayward, CA. However, the cost of living in this area, reflected in a CoL index of 113.1, presents challenges for take-home pay and purchasing power. Employers such as hospital nuclear medicine departments and outpatient PET/CT imaging centers typically offer the highest salaries, driven by the localization of advanced therapies like Pluvicto and Lutathera. The variance in salaries often comes down to factors such as experience with theranostics, cross-training in CT, and the need for on-call coverage, which can significantly influence earnings. For those aiming to maximize their pay in Hayward, securing dual certification in PET/CT and gaining experience in outpatient settings will be beneficial strategies to consider.
More salary data for Hayward, 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 $170,157 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Hayward 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 Hayward 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