Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in San Francisco, CA: $199,204 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in San Francisco, CA earns a median $199,204/year (≈ $95.78/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in San Francisco's price level (16% above national, BEA RPP 115.6), that paycheck buys what $172,302 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 13.0% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the nuclear medicine technologist salary in San Francisco is projected to reach a median of $199,204, significantly outpacing the national median of $106,398 by 87.23%. The salary range for positions in this field varies widely, with the lowest 10% earning approximately $143,155 and the highest 90% earning up to $215,095. This data is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and reflects the growing importance and premium associated with the theranostics specialty, which has become increasingly significant in the realm of nuclear medicine. With substantial opportunities in environments such as PET/CT imaging centers and theranostics centers, the market for nuclear medicine technologists in San Francisco remains robust, driven by an evolving landscape of patient care and treatment options.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $143,155 | $68.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $179,901 | $86.49 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $199,204 | $95.78 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $206,887 | $99.46 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $215,095 | $103.42 |
Median Salary Position
87.23% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Francisco
In San Francisco, CA, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $71,940 (2026 est.). At $199,204, the local median is 87.23% above the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in San Francisco: You'd be in the upper quartile
How San Francisco Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
San Francisco median: $199,204/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | San Francisco Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $176,286 | +13.00% more |
| National Average | $106,398 | +87.23% more |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in San Francisco, CA earn a median of $199,204 per year (2026 est.), which is 87.23% higher than the national median of $106,398 and 13.00% above the California state average of $176,286.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
San Francisco has a cost of living 15.61% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
San Francisco, CA has a cost-of-living index of 115.613 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $199,204 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $172,302 — a 13.5% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$124,920
2025 BLS Actual
$189,790
2026 Current Est.
$199,204
2019–2027 Growth
+67.4%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in San Francisco (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $124,920 | Actual |
| 2020 | $146,560 | Actual |
| 2021 | $151,310 | Actual |
| 2022 | $166,270 | Actual |
| 2023 | $177,940 | Actual |
| 2024 | $182,530 | Actual |
| 2025 | $189,790 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $199,204 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $209,084 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Francisco metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 51.9% from $124,920 (2019) to $189,790 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $209,084 by 2027 — a total increase of $84,164 (67.37%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Francisco 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) | $143,155 – $179,901 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $179,901 – $199,204 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $199,204 – $206,887 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $206,887 – $215,095 |
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 San Francisco
Examining the local job market, there are around 170 employed nuclear medicine technologists in San Francisco, making it a competitive environment for those seeking to maximize their salary potential. The cost of living index in the area sits at 115.613, reflecting a higher-than-average expense that impacts take-home pay. Employers such as outpatient PET/CT imaging centers and theranostics facilities generally offer the most competitive pay, particularly for technologists with dual accreditation and experience in radiopharmaceutical therapies. Factors influencing the pay spread include credential mix—those proficient in both PET/CT and SPECT modalities often command higher wages—alongside considerations such as on-call availability and cross-training in CT. For job seekers, focusing on gaining diverse credentials and seeking out fast-growing segments in nuclear medicine can enhance earning potential in the San Francisco market.
More salary data for San Francisco, 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 $189,790 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the San Francisco 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