Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Long Beach, CA: $164,713 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Long Beach, CA earns a median $164,713/year (≈ $79.19/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Long Beach's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $145,635 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.6% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Long Beach, California, nuclear medicine technologists are projected to earn a median annual salary of $164,713 in 2026, significantly above the national average of $106,398. The salary range for technologists in this area varies from $115,959 at the 10th percentile to $234,799 at the 90th percentile. These figures, drawn from estimates based on 2025 BLS data and regional price adjustments, indicate a robust market for this specialization. The premium for those who incorporate theranostics into their skill set amplifies earning potential, making this a lucrative field in a city marked by a strong demand for advanced imaging professionals.
About the Long Beach Market
Salary estimated from California average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $115,959 | $55.74 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $142,211 | $68.37 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $164,713 | $79.19 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $199,387 | $95.86 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $234,799 | $112.88 |
Median Salary Position
54.81% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Long Beach
In Long Beach, CA, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $118,840 (2026 est.). At $164,713, the local median is 54.81% above the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Long Beach: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Long Beach Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Long Beach median: $164,713/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Long Beach Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $176,352 | -6.60% less |
| National Average | $106,398 | +54.81% more |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Long Beach, CA earn a median of $164,713 per year (2026 est.), which is 54.81% higher than the national median of $106,398 and 6.60% below the California state average of $176,352.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Long Beach has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Long Beach, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $164,713 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $145,635 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$120,673
2025 BLS Actual
$156,929
2026 Current Est.
$164,713
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Long Beach (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $120,673 | Actual |
| 2020 | $123,212 | Actual |
| 2021 | $121,927 | Actual |
| 2022 | $132,051 | Actual |
| 2023 | $143,198 | Actual |
| 2024 | $157,277 | Actual |
| 2025 | $156,929 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $164,713 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $172,882 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Long Beach metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 30.0% from $120,673 (2019) to $156,929 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $172,882 by 2027 — a total increase of $52,209 (43.26%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Long Beach 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) | $115,959 – $142,211 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $142,211 – $164,713 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $164,713 – $199,387 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $199,387 – $234,799 |
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 Long Beach
With 89 nuclear medicine technologists employed in Long Beach, the local job market is competitive. The cost-of-living index stands at 113.1, suggesting that while salaries are higher, purchasing power may be affected by living expenses. Among the leading employers, nuclear medicine departments in hospitals and outpatient PET/CT imaging centers tend to offer the most competitive pay, especially for those with experience in theranostics or CT cross-training. The range in salaries can also stem from variations in credentialing and the demand for on-call coverage, particularly for radiopharmaceutical timing. For technologists looking to maximize their nuclear medicine technologist pay in Long Beach, enhancing qualifications with PET/CT certifications through organizations like the SNMMI-TS and securing roles at outpatient centers where demand is growing can be advantageous strategies in this evolving field.
More salary data for Long Beach, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can nuclear medicine technologists make $100K in Long Beach?
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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 $156,929 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Long Beach 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 Long Beach 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