Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in La Mirada, CA: $175,162 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in La Mirada, CA earns a median $175,162/year (≈ $84.21/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in La Mirada's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $154,874 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $175,162 in 2026, nuclear medicine technologists in La Mirada, California, can expect compensation that significantly exceeds the national median by over 64%. The salary range for professionals in this field spans from $139,381 at the 10th percentile to $220,830 at the 90th percentile, indicating a robust market for skilled technologists in the area. These figures are derived from local estimates based on 2025 BLS data and incorporate adjustments for the regional cost of living, which is currently indexed at 113.1. For those seeking opportunities, the structural divide between hospital and outpatient PET or oncology centers will impact the hiring landscape and salary prospects in this growing sector.
About the La Mirada Market
Salary estimated from California average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $139,381 | $67.01 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $151,165 | $72.67 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $175,162 | $84.21 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $201,448 | $96.85 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $220,830 | $106.17 |
Median Salary Position
64.63% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in La Mirada
In La Mirada, CA, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $81,449 (2026 est.). At $175,162, the local median is 64.63% above the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in La Mirada: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How La Mirada Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
La Mirada median: $175,162/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | La Mirada Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $176,220 | -0.60% less |
| National Average | $106,398 | +64.63% more |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in La Mirada, CA earn a median of $175,162 per year (2026 est.), which is 64.63% higher than the national median of $106,398 and 0.60% below the California state average of $176,220.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
La Mirada has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
La Mirada, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $175,162 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $154,874 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$128,329
2025 BLS Actual
$166,885
2026 Current Est.
$175,162
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in La Mirada (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $128,329 | Actual |
| 2020 | $131,029 | Actual |
| 2021 | $129,662 | Actual |
| 2022 | $140,429 | Actual |
| 2023 | $152,282 | Actual |
| 2024 | $148,341 | Actual |
| 2025 | $166,885 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $175,162 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $183,851 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the La Mirada metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 30.0% from $128,329 (2019) to $166,885 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $183,851 by 2027 — a total increase of $55,522 (43.27%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the La Mirada 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) | $139,381 – $151,165 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $151,165 – $175,162 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $175,162 – $201,448 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $201,448 – $220,830 |
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 La Mirada
The job market in La Mirada features approximately 10 nuclear medicine technologists, and while this may appear limited, it suggests a stable demand for qualified professionals. The higher cost of living, reflected in the local index, requires technologists to maximize their take-home pay effectively. Employers such as local hospital nuclear medicine departments and outpatient PET/CT imaging centers typically offer the best salaries, particularly for those with expertise in theranostics and other cutting-edge therapies like Lutathera. The pay disparity within the field is influenced by a mix of credentialing variations, with technologists trained in both PET/CT and SPECT modalities often commanding higher wages. To enhance earnings, professionals should consider pursuing additional certifications, gaining experience in diverse settings, and being flexible with on-call assignments, as these can contribute significantly to overall compensation in the La Mirada market.
More salary data for La Mirada, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nuclear medicine technologists make in La Mirada, CA in 2026?
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Can nuclear medicine technologists make $100K in La Mirada?
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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 $166,885 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the La Mirada 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 La Mirada 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