Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Santa Maria, CA: $176,303 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Santa Maria, CA earns a median $176,303/year (≈ $84.77/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Santa Maria's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $155,882 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, nuclear medicine technologists in Santa Maria, California, can expect a median annual salary of $176,303, significantly higher than the national median of $106,398, representing a remarkable 65.7% premium. The salary range for this profession in the area extends from $137,969 at the lower end to $239,882 at the top end, highlighting a substantial variance in potential earnings. These figures, based on projections derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data and regional price parities, illustrate the financial potential available to technologists who choose to work in environments like hospital nuclear medicine departments versus outpatient PET and oncology centers. This local market offers opportunities for well-compensated positions, particularly in sectors that require advanced skill sets.
About the Santa Maria Market
Salary estimated from California average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $137,969 | $66.33 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $151,692 | $72.93 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $176,303 | $84.77 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $207,270 | $99.65 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $239,882 | $115.33 |
Median Salary Position
65.70% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Santa Maria
In Santa Maria, CA, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $101,913 (2026 est.). At $176,303, the local median is 65.7% above the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Santa Maria: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Santa Maria Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Santa Maria median: $176,303/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Santa Maria Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $106,398 | +65.70% more |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Santa Maria, CA earn a median of $176,303 per year (2026 est.), which is 65.70% higher than the national median of $106,398.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Santa Maria has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Santa Maria, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $176,303 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $155,882 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$129,165
2025 BLS Actual
$167,972
2026 Current Est.
$176,303
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Santa Maria (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $129,165 | Actual |
| 2020 | $131,882 | Actual |
| 2021 | $130,507 | Actual |
| 2022 | $141,344 | Actual |
| 2023 | $153,274 | Actual |
| 2024 | $149,307 | Actual |
| 2025 | $167,972 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $176,303 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $185,048 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Santa Maria metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 30.0% from $129,165 (2019) to $167,972 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $185,048 by 2027 — a total increase of $55,883 (43.26%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Santa Maria 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) | $137,969 – $151,692 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $151,692 – $176,303 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $176,303 – $207,270 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $207,270 – $239,882 |
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 Maria
The local job market employs only 16 nuclear medicine technologists in Santa Maria, suggesting a concentrated but competitive environment. With a cost-of-living index of 113.1, the higher salaries reflect not just the demand for skills in PET/CT and theranostics, but also the practical implications for take-home pay. Among local employers, positions in hospital settings often provide higher compensation compared to outpatient imaging facilities or mobile PET services. Variations in pay often result from the mix of credentials technologists hold, especially in light of the industry's shift towards PET/CT technologies and theranostics, which command a pay premium. Factors like on-call coverage, cross-training in CT, and specialized experience in radiopharmaceutical therapies like Lutathera can substantially influence earnings. For aspiring technologists in Santa Maria, pursuing additional certifications and diversifying skills could enhance job prospects and maximize salary potential.
More salary data for Santa Maria, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can nuclear medicine technologists make $100K in Santa Maria?
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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 $167,972 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Santa Maria 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 Maria 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