Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Santa Clarita, CA: $180,115 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Santa Clarita, CA earns a median $180,115/year (≈ $86.59/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Santa Clarita's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $159,253 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.2% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Santa Clarita, the median annual salary for a nuclear medicine technologist reaches $180,115 in 2026, more than 69% higher than the national median of $106,398. With a salary range from $136,704 at the 10th percentile to $252,941 at the 90th percentile, these figures reflect not only the high demand for skilled technologists in the region but also the increasing specialization in theranostics, which enhances earning potential. Salaries derived from BLS estimates, adjusted for local economic conditions, emphasize that technologists with expertise in emerging areas like radiopharmaceutical therapies command higher wages, further bolstering their earning capacity in this competitive job market.
About the Santa Clarita Market
Salary estimated from California average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $136,704 | $65.73 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $153,112 | $73.61 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $180,115 | $86.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $215,231 | $103.48 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $252,941 | $121.61 |
Median Salary Position
69.28% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Santa Clarita
In Santa Clarita, CA, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $116,237 (2026 est.). At $180,115, the local median is 69.28% above the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Santa Clarita: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Santa Clarita Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Santa Clarita median: $180,115/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Santa Clarita Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $176,237 | +2.20% more |
| National Average | $106,398 | +69.28% more |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Santa Clarita, CA earn a median of $180,115 per year (2026 est.), which is 69.28% higher than the national median of $106,398 and 2.20% above the California state average of $176,237.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Santa Clarita has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Santa Clarita, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $180,115 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $159,253 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$131,957
2025 BLS Actual
$171,603
2026 Current Est.
$180,115
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Santa Clarita (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $131,957 | Actual |
| 2020 | $134,733 | Actual |
| 2021 | $133,328 | Actual |
| 2022 | $144,399 | Actual |
| 2023 | $156,588 | Actual |
| 2024 | $152,534 | Actual |
| 2025 | $171,603 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $180,115 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $189,048 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Santa Clarita metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 30.0% from $131,957 (2019) to $171,603 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $189,048 by 2027 — a total increase of $57,091 (43.26%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Santa Clarita 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) | $136,704 – $153,112 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $153,112 – $180,115 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $180,115 – $215,231 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $215,231 – $252,941 |
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 Santa Clarita
The job market for nuclear medicine technologists in Santa Clarita is strong, with 41 professionals working in various healthcare settings. However, an above-average cost of living index of 113.1 indicates that while salaries are generous, effective budgeting is essential for maximizing purchasing power. Employers that offer the highest compensation include hospital nuclear medicine departments and outpatient PET/CT imaging centers, particularly those integrating advanced therapies like lutetium-177 treatments. The wage disparity in Santa Clarita can be attributed to various factors, such as the credentials required for PET/CT imaging versus SPECT-only practices, on-call responsibilities, and the benefits of cross-training with CT technology. To enhance earnings, technologists should consider pursuing advanced certifications or gaining experience in high-demand specializations, as these strategies can significantly impact salary outcomes in this localized market.
More salary data for Santa Clarita, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can nuclear medicine technologists make $100K in Santa Clarita?
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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 $171,603 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Santa Clarita 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 Santa Clarita 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