Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Rialto, CA: $179,537 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Rialto, CA earns a median $179,537/year (≈ $86.32/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Rialto's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $158,742 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.8% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Rialto, California, nuclear medicine technologists can expect a median annual salary of $179,537 in 2026, significantly higher than the national median of $106,398. The local salary range varies widely, from $131,533 on the low end (P10) to $239,301 at the high end (P90). These figures are influenced by local market conditions, including the demand for dual-credentialed professionals in PET/CT imaging compared to those with SPECT-only qualifications. With advancements in radiopharmaceutical therapies such as Lutathera and Pluvicto driving growth in the field, nurses focusing on these areas tend to command higher salaries, reflecting the valuable skill set they bring to healthcare facilities in Rialto.
About the Rialto Market
Salary estimated from California average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $131,533 | $63.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $147,683 | $71.01 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $179,537 | $86.32 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $208,113 | $100.06 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $239,301 | $115.05 |
Median Salary Position
68.74% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rialto
In Rialto, CA, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $107,768 (2026 est.). At $179,537, the local median is 68.74% above the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Rialto: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Rialto Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Rialto median: $179,537/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rialto Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $176,363 | +1.80% more |
| National Average | $106,398 | +68.74% more |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Rialto, CA earn a median of $179,537 per year (2026 est.), which is 68.74% higher than the national median of $106,398 and 1.80% above the California state average of $176,363.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rialto has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Rialto, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $179,537 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $158,742 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$131,534
2025 BLS Actual
$171,053
2026 Current Est.
$179,537
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Rialto (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $131,534 | Actual |
| 2020 | $134,301 | Actual |
| 2021 | $132,901 | Actual |
| 2022 | $143,936 | Actual |
| 2023 | $156,086 | Actual |
| 2024 | $152,045 | Actual |
| 2025 | $171,053 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $179,537 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $188,442 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rialto metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 30.0% from $131,534 (2019) to $171,053 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $188,442 by 2027 — a total increase of $56,908 (43.26%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rialto 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) | $131,533 – $147,683 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $147,683 – $179,537 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $179,537 – $208,113 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $208,113 – $239,301 |
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 Rialto
The job market for nuclear medicine technologists in Rialto is relatively stable, with 17 professionals currently employed in this specialty. However, the local cost of living index stands at 113.1, indicating that while salaries are above the national average, the purchasing power may be tempered by housing and living costs. Top employers in the area include hospital nuclear medicine departments, outpatient PET/CT imaging centers, and practices specializing in nuclear cardiology or theranostics, which typically offer more competitive remuneration. This variance in pay can be attributed to factors such as credential mix, experience with theranostics, and cross-training in CT procedures. For those looking to maximize their nuclear medicine technologist pay in Rialto, pursuing PET/CT credentials and seeking positions that provide on-call coverage may enhance financial prospects in this evolving market.
More salary data for Rialto, 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 $171,053 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Rialto 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 Rialto 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