Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Union City, CA: $176,680 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Union City, CA earns a median $176,680/year (≈ $84.94/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Union City's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $156,216 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $176,680 in 2026, nuclear medicine technologists in Union City, CA, benefit significantly from the region's growth in theranostics and related specialties. The local salary range extends from $133,159 at the 10th percentile to $225,843 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the high demand and specialized training required in this field. These figures come from estimates based on 2025 BLS data and regional cost adjustments, indicating a robust compensation model that also highlights how much do nuclear medicine technologists make in Union City compared to their peers nationally. The advantageous earning potential, driven in part by the rise of advanced imaging techniques like PET/CT, positions local technologists favorably within the healthcare employment landscape.
About the Union City Market
Salary estimated from California average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $133,159 | $64.02 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $154,360 | $74.21 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $176,680 | $84.94 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $199,764 | $96.04 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $225,843 | $108.58 |
Median Salary Position
66.06% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Union City
In Union City, CA, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $92,684 (2026 est.). At $176,680, the local median is 66.06% above the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Union City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Union City Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Union City median: $176,680/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Union City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $176,328 | +0.20% more |
| National Average | $106,398 | +66.06% more |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Union City, CA earn a median of $176,680 per year (2026 est.), which is 66.06% higher than the national median of $106,398 and 0.20% above the California state average of $176,328.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Union City has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Union City, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $176,680 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $156,216 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$129,441
2025 BLS Actual
$168,331
2026 Current Est.
$176,680
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Union City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $129,441 | Actual |
| 2020 | $132,164 | Actual |
| 2021 | $130,786 | Actual |
| 2022 | $141,646 | Actual |
| 2023 | $153,602 | Actual |
| 2024 | $149,626 | Actual |
| 2025 | $168,331 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $176,680 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $185,444 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Union City metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 30.0% from $129,441 (2019) to $168,331 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $185,444 by 2027 — a total increase of $56,003 (43.27%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Union City 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) | $133,159 – $154,360 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $154,360 – $176,680 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $176,680 – $199,764 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $199,764 – $225,843 |
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 Union City
The job market for nuclear medicine technologists in Union City is characterized by its competitive nature, with 11 professionals currently employed in the area. The cost of living index in Union City is 113.1, indicating that while salaries are higher than some national averages, take-home purchasing power may be impacted by living expenses. Among local employers, hospitals with nuclear medicine departments and outpatient PET/CT imaging centers tend to offer the highest salaries, with theranostics centers specializing in treatments like lutetium-177 therapies also contributing to potentially higher earnings. Factors influencing pay differentials include the mix of SPECT and PET/CT credentials, the experience level with advanced theranostics, and the availability of on-call coverage for radiopharmaceutical procedures. To maximize earnings in this market, technologists should seek cross-training opportunities, emphasize experience with cutting-edge therapy techniques, and consider roles in higher-paying environments, such as VA medical centers or mobile PET imaging companies.
More salary data for Union City, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can nuclear medicine technologists make $100K in Union City?
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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 $168,331 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Union City 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 Union City 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