Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Irvine, CA: $183,123 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Irvine, CA earns a median $183,123/year (≈ $88.04/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Irvine's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $161,912 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.9% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, nuclear medicine technologists in Irvine, California, can expect a median annual salary of $183,123, significantly higher than the national median of $106,398. The salary range for this profession spans from $138,251 at the 10th percentile to $256,151 at the 90th percentile, illustrating a robust earning potential within the local market. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost drivers, highlight the premium for specialists in theranostics, which is one of the fastest-growing areas in medical imaging. As demand for such expertise rises, so does the financial incentive for those operating in this niche, suggesting a strong job market for nuclear medicine technologists in Irvine.
About the Irvine Market
Salary estimated from California average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $138,251 | $66.47 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $155,104 | $74.57 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $183,123 | $88.04 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $222,339 | $106.89 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $256,151 | $123.15 |
Median Salary Position
72.11% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Irvine
In Irvine, CA, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $117,900 (2026 est.). At $183,123, the local median is 72.11% above the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Irvine: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Irvine Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Irvine median: $183,123/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Irvine Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $176,249 | +3.90% more |
| National Average | $106,398 | +72.11% more |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Irvine, CA earn a median of $183,123 per year (2026 est.), which is 72.11% higher than the national median of $106,398 and 3.90% above the California state average of $176,249.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Irvine has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Irvine, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $183,123 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $161,912 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$134,161
2025 BLS Actual
$174,469
2026 Current Est.
$183,123
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Irvine (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $134,161 | Actual |
| 2020 | $136,983 | Actual |
| 2021 | $135,555 | Actual |
| 2022 | $146,811 | Actual |
| 2023 | $159,203 | Actual |
| 2024 | $155,082 | Actual |
| 2025 | $174,469 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $183,123 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $192,206 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Irvine metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 30.0% from $134,161 (2019) to $174,469 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $192,206 by 2027 — a total increase of $58,045 (43.27%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Irvine 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) | $138,251 – $155,104 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $155,104 – $183,123 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $183,123 – $222,339 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $222,339 – $256,151 |
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 Irvine
With 72 nuclear medicine technologists currently employed in Irvine, the local job market is stable and flourishing, primarily driven by healthcare facilities such as hospital nuclear medicine departments and outpatient PET/CT imaging centers. The cost of living index in the area is 113.1, indicating that despite higher salaries, purchasing power may be impacted by living costs. Employers specializing in theranostics, such as centers utilizing lutetium-177 therapies, tend to offer higher compensation. Factors like experience with PET/CT versus SPECT-only credentials, availability for on-call duties, and cross-training in CT ultimately contribute to the wage disparity. Those looking to maximize their pay should consider pursuing additional certifications in theranostics, seeking roles in high-demand facilities, and gaining a diverse skill set with cross-training programs in both imaging modalities.
More salary data for Irvine, 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 $174,469 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Irvine 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 Irvine 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