Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Los Angeles, CA: $164,168 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Los Angeles, CA earns a median $164,168/year (≈ $78.93/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Los Angeles's price level (14% above national, BEA RPP 113.6), that paycheck buys what $144,557 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.9% below the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, a nuclear medicine technologist salary in Los Angeles is projected to reach a median annual figure of $164,168, significantly higher than the national median of $106,398. The salary range varies widely, with the lowest 10% earning approximately $129,206 and the top 90% potentially making as much as $186,000. These statistics reflect trends from official BLS OEWS surveys, illustrating that technologists in the area can expect competitive compensation. This robust pay structure can be attributed to the distinct employment environments present in Los Angeles, particularly the difference between hospital-based roles and specialized outpatient PET/CT oncology centers.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $129,206 | $62.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $139,471 | $67.05 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $164,168 | $78.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $176,469 | $84.84 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $186,000 | $89.43 |
Median Salary Position
54.30% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Los Angeles
In Los Angeles, CA, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $56,794 (2026 est.). At $164,168, the local median is 54.3% above the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Los Angeles: You'd be above the median
How Los Angeles Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Los Angeles median: $164,168/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Los Angeles Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $176,335 | -6.90% less |
| National Average | $106,398 | +54.30% more |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Los Angeles, CA earn a median of $164,168 per year (2026 est.), which is 54.30% higher than the national median of $106,398 and 6.90% below the California state average of $176,335.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Los Angeles has a cost of living 13.57% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Los Angeles, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.566 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $164,168 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $144,557 — a 11.95% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$112,050
2025 BLS Actual
$156,410
2026 Current Est.
$164,168
2019–2027 Growth
+53.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Los Angeles (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $112,050 | Actual |
| 2020 | $118,990 | Actual |
| 2021 | $125,930 | Actual |
| 2022 | $129,900 | Actual |
| 2023 | $135,210 | Actual |
| 2024 | $145,190 | Actual |
| 2025 | $156,410 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $164,168 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $172,311 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Los Angeles metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 39.6% from $112,050 (2019) to $156,410 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $172,311 by 2027 — a total increase of $60,261 (53.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Los Angeles 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) | $129,206 – $139,471 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $139,471 – $164,168 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $164,168 – $176,469 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $176,469 – $186,000 |
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 Los Angeles
With around 460 nuclear medicine technologists actively employed in the Los Angeles area, the job market demonstrates solid growth, bolstered by a rising demand for PET/CT and theranostics expertise. The cost of living index in Los Angeles stands at 113.566, indicating a higher expense for residents compared to the national average, which could impact take-home pay after expenses. Among employers, outpatient PET/CT imaging centers and cardiology practices that utilize nuclear cardiology are typically among the highest-paying, while those working in mobile PET imaging companies may see fluctuations based on demand and specialty. The spread in salaries often arises from additional responsibilities such as on-call coverage and the need for cross-training in CT technology. Maximizing pay in this city could involve pursuing certifications specific to theranostics or expanding skill sets in both SPECT and PET imaging, aligning with industry growth trends highlighted by organizations like SNMMI-TS and NMTCB.
More salary data for Los Angeles, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nuclear medicine technologists make in Los Angeles, CA in 2026?
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Can nuclear medicine technologists make $100K in Los Angeles?
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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 $156,410 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Los Angeles 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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