Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Tustin, CA: $176,107 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Tustin, CA earns a median $176,107/year (≈ $84.67/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Tustin's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $155,709 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.1% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $176,107 in 2026, nuclear medicine technologists in Tustin, California, earn significantly more than the national median of $106,398. This impressive figure reflects the local job market, where specialized credentials in PET/CT compared to SPECT-only qualifications create a notable pay disparity. Salary ranges extend from $131,081 at the lowest percentile to $230,380 at the highest, illustrating a robust market for professionals with varying skill sets. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for the region's cost of living, highlight Tustin's competitive environment for these critical healthcare roles.
About the Tustin Market
Salary estimated from California average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $131,081 | $63.02 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $146,455 | $70.41 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $176,107 | $84.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $202,277 | $97.25 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $230,380 | $110.76 |
Median Salary Position
65.52% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Tustin
In Tustin, CA, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $99,299 (2026 est.). At $176,107, the local median is 65.52% above the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Tustin: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Tustin Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Tustin median: $176,107/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Tustin Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $176,283 | -0.10% less |
| National Average | $106,398 | +65.52% more |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Tustin, CA earn a median of $176,107 per year (2026 est.), which is 65.52% higher than the national median of $106,398 and 0.10% below the California state average of $176,283.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Tustin has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Tustin, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $176,107 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $155,709 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$129,021
2025 BLS Actual
$167,785
2026 Current Est.
$176,107
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Tustin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $129,021 | Actual |
| 2020 | $131,735 | Actual |
| 2021 | $130,362 | Actual |
| 2022 | $141,186 | Actual |
| 2023 | $153,104 | Actual |
| 2024 | $149,141 | Actual |
| 2025 | $167,785 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $176,107 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $184,842 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tustin metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 30.0% from $129,021 (2019) to $167,785 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $184,842 by 2027 — a total increase of $55,821 (43.27%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tustin 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) | $131,081 – $146,455 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $146,455 – $176,107 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $176,107 – $202,277 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $202,277 – $230,380 |
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 Tustin
The local job market consists of 18 nuclear medicine technologists, emphasizing a relatively small yet specialized workforce. With a cost-of-living index of 113.1, Tustin's housing and daily expenses influence take-home purchasing power for these professionals. Employers vary significantly by sector, with high earners typically found at hospital nuclear medicine departments, outpatient PET/CT imaging centers, and theranostics facilities offering advanced treatments like lutetium-177 therapies. The spread in compensation can be largely attributed to the credentials required, demand for on-call coverage, and cross-training in CT procedures. For those looking to maximize their nuclear medicine technologist pay in Tustin, gaining proficiency in PET/CT procedures and pursuing employment at specialized facilities could prove essential for advancing their career and securing higher earnings.
More salary data for Tustin, 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 $167,785 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Tustin 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 Tustin 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