Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in San Leandro, CA: $173,273 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in San Leandro, CA earns a median $173,273/year (≈ $83.31/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in San Leandro's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $153,203 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.7% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For nuclear medicine technologists in San Leandro, California, the 2026 median annual salary is projected to reach $173,273, significantly surpassing the national average by 62.85%. The salary range in this region spans from $138,864 at the 10th percentile to $237,929 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the varied demands and specialties within the profession. These figures are drawn from estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, adjusted for regional cost differences. As the field continues to grow, those specializing in theranostics are likely to command higher salaries, particularly as demand for advanced therapies, such as lutetium-177, increases. San Leandro remains a competitive market for these specialists.
About the San Leandro Market
Salary estimated from California average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $138,864 | $66.77 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $151,118 | $72.65 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $173,273 | $83.31 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $195,779 | $94.13 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $237,929 | $114.39 |
Median Salary Position
62.85% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Leandro
In San Leandro, CA, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $99,065 (2026 est.). At $173,273, the local median is 62.85% above the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in San Leandro: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How San Leandro Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
San Leandro median: $173,273/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | San Leandro Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $176,270 | -1.70% less |
| National Average | $106,398 | +62.85% more |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in San Leandro, CA earn a median of $173,273 per year (2026 est.), which is 62.85% higher than the national median of $106,398 and 1.70% below the California state average of $176,270.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
San Leandro has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
San Leandro, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $173,273 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $153,203 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$126,945
2025 BLS Actual
$165,085
2026 Current Est.
$173,273
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in San Leandro (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $126,945 | Actual |
| 2020 | $129,615 | Actual |
| 2021 | $128,264 | Actual |
| 2022 | $138,914 | Actual |
| 2023 | $150,640 | Actual |
| 2024 | $146,741 | Actual |
| 2025 | $165,085 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $173,273 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $181,868 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Leandro metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 30.0% from $126,945 (2019) to $165,085 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $181,868 by 2027 — a total increase of $54,923 (43.27%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Leandro 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) | $138,864 – $151,118 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $151,118 – $173,273 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $173,273 – $195,779 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $195,779 – $237,929 |
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 Leandro
Despite a bevy of opportunities in San Leandro, the job market shows a modest number of 23 employed nuclear medicine technologists, which can affect pay dynamics. Additionally, the cost-of-living index at 113.1 indicates that living expenses in the area are above the national average, which can impact take-home pay. Top employers often include hospital nuclear medicine departments and outpatient PET/CT imaging centers, with theranostics centers offering lucrative opportunities for those with expertise in this growing niche. The differences in salaries are influenced by various factors including credential mixes, on-call coverage expectations, and the distinctions between hospital and outpatient environments. To maximize their nuclear medicine technologist pay in San Leandro, technologists should consider cross-training in CT and pursuing specialties that align with high-demand areas, ensuring they remain competitive in this evolving field.
More salary data for San Leandro, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nuclear medicine technologists make in San Leandro, CA in 2026?
Is San Leandro, CA a good place to work as a nuclear medicine technologist?
Can nuclear medicine technologists make $100K in San Leandro?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted nuclear medicine technologist salary in San Leandro?
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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 $165,085 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the San Leandro 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 San Leandro 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