Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Oakland, CA: $203,738 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Oakland, CA earns a median $203,738/year (≈ $97.95/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Oakland's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $180,140 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 15.6% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Oakland, California, nuclear medicine technologists command a competitive median annual salary of $203,738, significantly above the national average of $106,398. This reflects the increasing specialization in theranostics within the field, as those skilled in advanced radiopharmaceutical therapies can expect to be compensated even more generously. The local salary landscape ranges from $149,468 at the 10th percentile to $285,705 at the 90th percentile, showcasing the diverse earning potential based on experience and specialization. This data is derived from 2025 BLS state-level estimates and adjusted for local cost factors, illustrating a robust market specifically catering to those with advanced training and credentials in this thriving segment.
About the Oakland Market
Salary estimated from California average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $149,468 | $71.86 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $168,614 | $81.06 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $203,738 | $97.95 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $243,221 | $116.94 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $285,705 | $137.36 |
Median Salary Position
91.49% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Oakland
In Oakland, CA, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $136,237 (2026 est.). At $203,738, the local median is 91.49% above the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Oakland: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Oakland Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Oakland median: $203,738/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Oakland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $176,244 | +15.60% more |
| National Average | $106,398 | +91.49% more |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Oakland, CA earn a median of $203,738 per year (2026 est.), which is 91.49% higher than the national median of $106,398 and 15.60% above the California state average of $176,244.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Oakland has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Oakland, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $203,738 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $180,140 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$149,264
2025 BLS Actual
$194,110
2026 Current Est.
$203,738
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Oakland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $149,264 | Actual |
| 2020 | $152,404 | Actual |
| 2021 | $150,815 | Actual |
| 2022 | $163,338 | Actual |
| 2023 | $177,125 | Actual |
| 2024 | $160,324 | Actual |
| 2025 | $194,110 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $203,738 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $213,843 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Oakland metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 30.0% from $149,264 (2019) to $194,110 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $213,843 by 2027 — a total increase of $64,579 (43.26%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oakland 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) | $149,468 – $168,614 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $168,614 – $203,738 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $203,738 – $243,221 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $243,221 – $285,705 |
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 Oakland
With 78 nuclear medicine technologists employed in the area, the job market in Oakland demonstrates solid growth, with an annual rate projected at 4.96%. The cost of living index sits at 113.1, suggesting that while salaries are high, living expenses in Oakland require careful financial planning for optimal take-home pay. Top employers include prominent hospital nuclear medicine departments and specialized outpatient PET/CT imaging centers, which tend to offer the most lucrative positions. Factors contributing to salary variations include experience with both PET/CT and SPECT modalities, additional skills in theranostics such as lutetium-177 therapies, and the structure of employment—hospital settings generally pay higher than outpatient centers. To maximize earnings in Oakland's market, technologists should consider obtaining cross-training in CT and seeking opportunities within theranostics centers, which can significantly enhance their salary potential.
More salary data for Oakland, 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 $194,110 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Oakland 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 Oakland 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