Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Turlock, CA: $172,394 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Turlock, CA earns a median $172,394/year (≈ $82.88/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Turlock's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $152,426 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.2% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Turlock, CA, nuclear medicine technologists can expect to earn a median annual salary of $172,394 in 2026, which is significantly higher than the national median of $106,398. The salary range for this role locally varies from $136,769 at the 10th percentile to $234,983 at the 90th percentile, indicating a healthy market for professionals in this field. This data is based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and reflects the regional cost considerations of Turlock's economy. The employment landscape for nuclear medicine technologists here is promising, encouraging individuals to enhance their skills, particularly with the solid growth in hospital settings versus outpatient PET/CT centers that drive different pay structures.
About the Turlock Market
Salary estimated from California average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $136,769 | $65.76 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $149,308 | $71.78 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $172,394 | $82.88 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $204,085 | $98.12 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $234,983 | $112.97 |
Median Salary Position
62.03% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Turlock
In Turlock, CA, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $98,214 (2026 est.). At $172,394, the local median is 62.03% above the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Turlock: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Turlock Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Turlock median: $172,394/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Turlock Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $176,272 | -2.20% less |
| National Average | $106,398 | +62.03% more |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Turlock, CA earn a median of $172,394 per year (2026 est.), which is 62.03% higher than the national median of $106,398 and 2.20% below the California state average of $176,272.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Turlock has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Turlock, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $172,394 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $152,426 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$126,300
2025 BLS Actual
$164,247
2026 Current Est.
$172,394
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Turlock (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $126,300 | Actual |
| 2020 | $128,957 | Actual |
| 2021 | $127,613 | Actual |
| 2022 | $138,209 | Actual |
| 2023 | $149,875 | Actual |
| 2024 | $145,996 | Actual |
| 2025 | $164,247 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $172,394 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $180,944 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Turlock metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 30.0% from $126,300 (2019) to $164,247 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $180,944 by 2027 — a total increase of $54,644 (43.27%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Turlock 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) | $136,769 – $149,308 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $149,308 – $172,394 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $172,394 – $204,085 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $204,085 – $234,983 |
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 Turlock
The job market for nuclear medicine technologists in Turlock is characterized by 17 employed professionals, highlighting a specialized role within the healthcare sector. With a cost-of-living index of 113.1, the purchasing power tied to these salaries is crucial for local technologists, as this figure is above the national average. Employers that typically offer the highest pay include hospital nuclear medicine departments and outpatient PET/CT imaging centers, where a focus on advanced imaging and protocols can lead to better remuneration. Variations in pay often stem from credential differences, with technologists skilled in PET/CT and cross-trained in CT enjoying pay premiums. To maximize earning potential, candidates should seek certifications from NMTCB or ARRT(N), aiming for expertise in growing fields like theranostics and actively pursue roles that leverage advanced technology skills within Turlock's healthcare facilities.
More salary data for Turlock, 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 $164,247 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Turlock 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 Turlock 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