Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Sacramento, CA: $181,854 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Sacramento, CA earns a median $181,854/year (≈ $87.43/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Sacramento's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 106.7), that paycheck buys what $170,483 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.2% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Sacramento, California, nuclear medicine technologists command a median annual salary of $181,854, which is significantly higher than the national median of $106,398, reflecting a competitive local job market. This well-earned compensation differs considerably, ranging from $130,045 at the lower end (P10) to $201,324 for those at the higher end (P90). This data, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, indicates a robust demand for technologists, particularly those trained in both PET/CT and SPECT modalities. This dual-credential approach drives salary potential, as facilities equipped for advanced PET/CT imaging typically offer better compensation compared to those focused solely on SPECT.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $130,045 | $62.52 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $153,808 | $73.94 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $181,854 | $87.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $195,205 | $93.84 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $201,324 | $96.79 |
Median Salary Position
70.92% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Sacramento
In Sacramento, CA, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $71,279 (2026 est.). At $181,854, the local median is 70.92% above the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Sacramento: You'd be above the median
How Sacramento Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Sacramento median: $181,854/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Sacramento Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $176,215 | +3.20% more |
| National Average | $106,398 | +70.92% more |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Sacramento, CA earn a median of $181,854 per year (2026 est.), which is 70.92% higher than the national median of $106,398 and 3.20% above the California state average of $176,215.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Sacramento has a cost of living 6.67% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Sacramento, CA has a cost-of-living index of 106.67 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $181,854 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $170,483 — a 6.25% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$128,540
2025 BLS Actual
$173,260
2026 Current Est.
$181,854
2019–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Sacramento (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $128,540 | Actual |
| 2020 | $137,820 | Actual |
| 2021 | $131,570 | Actual |
| 2022 | $137,680 | Actual |
| 2023 | $161,150 | Actual |
| 2024 | $167,020 | Actual |
| 2025 | $173,260 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $181,854 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $190,874 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Sacramento metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 34.8% from $128,540 (2019) to $173,260 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $190,874 by 2027 — a total increase of $62,334 (48.49%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sacramento 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) | $130,045 – $153,808 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $153,808 – $181,854 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $181,854 – $195,205 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $195,205 – $201,324 |
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 Sacramento
The local job market consists of approximately 130 nuclear medicine technologists, which supports a competitive hiring environment. However, the cost of living in Sacramento, with a cost-of-living index of 106.67, can impact take-home purchasing power. For those seeking the highest nuclear medicine technologist pay in Sacramento, working in hospital nuclear medicine departments or outpatient PET/CT imaging centers often yields better financial rewards. Positions at cardiology practices offering nuclear cardiology, theranostics centers, and VA medical centers also tend to offer competitive wages. The pay spread is influenced by factors such as experience in PET/CT and theranostics, the necessity of on-call coverage for radiopharmaceuticals, and whether one is working in an acute care setting versus outpatient facilities. To maximize pay in this market, technologists should seek additional training in CT cross-training, pursue roles in higher-paying specialties, and leverage their certifications to tap into the growing demand within the lucrative PET/CT segment.
More salary data for Sacramento, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nuclear medicine technologists make in Sacramento, CA in 2026?
Is Sacramento, CA a good place to work as a nuclear medicine technologist?
Can nuclear medicine technologists make $100K in Sacramento?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted nuclear medicine technologist salary in Sacramento?
How much does a nuclear medicine technologist make per hour in Sacramento?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in California
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 $173,260 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Sacramento 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