Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay in Huntington Beach, CA: $85.05 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nuclear medicine technologist working in Huntington Beach, CA runs $85.05 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $176,902 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Weighted against Huntington Beach's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $75.20 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $106,141 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Huntington Beach, CA, nuclear medicine technologists earn a median hourly pay of $85.05, significantly higher than the national hourly median of $51.15. This competitive rate is particularly beneficial for part-time and per-diem workers operating in various settings such as hospital nuclear medicine suites, PET/CT imaging centers, and cardiac stress test rooms. Entry-level technicians may start around $66.92 per hour, while top earners can command as much as $119.25 per hour, reflecting a diverse range of roles within the field. The hourly pay rates are derived from annual salaries, highlighting the economic viability of nuclear medicine technology in the region and emphasizing its appeal for flexible work arrangements.
About the Huntington Beach Market
Salary estimated from California average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $66.92 | $535.38 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $73.51 | $588.11 |
| Median (P50) | $85.05 | $680.39 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $97.13 | $777.04 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $119.25 | $953.96 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Huntington Beach
Based on $85.05/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $85.05/hr, a nuclear medicine technologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Huntington Beach, CA can expect to earn approximately $176,902 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $102,059. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Huntington Beach.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Huntington Beach
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,401.96 | $14,742 | $176,902 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $2,041.18 | $8,845 | $106,141 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,360.79 | $5,897 | $70,761 |
Compare NMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nuclear Medicine Technologist (Huntington Beach) | $85.05 |
| Radiologic Technologist (National Avg) | $35.27 |
| MRI Technologist (National Avg) | $40.93 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (National Avg) | $42.41 |
| Radiation Therapist (National Avg) | $48.35 |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Huntington Beach, CA earn a median of $176,902 per year (2026 est.), which is 66.26% higher than the national median of $106,398 and 0.30% above the California state average of $176,373.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $85.05/hr = $106,141/year (purchasing power: $93,847).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $176,902/year (purchasing power: $156,412).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$62.31/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$81.03/hr
2026 Current Est.
$85.05/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Huntington Beach (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62.31/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $63.62/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $62.96/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $68.18/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $73.94/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $72.03/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $81.03/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $85.05/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $89.27/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nuclear medicine technologists in Huntington Beach grew 30.0% from $62.31/hr (2019) to $81.03/hr (2025). At a 4.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $89.27/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem nuclear medicine technologists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Huntington Beach 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.
Working as an Hourly Nuclear Medicine Technologist in Huntington Beach
A nuclear medicine technologist working part-time, say three days a week for a total of 24 hours, could realistically take home around $106,484 annually based on the current rate. For those opting for per-diem or agency roles, typical pay falls between $55 and $80 per hour, while PET/CT technologists in outpatient oncology settings might see hourly wages between $65 and $95. Employers vary in their compensation structures; hospital nuclear medicine departments may offer more reliable benefits, whereas outpatient facilities can provide higher hourly rates without benefits. Technologists need to weigh the trade-offs between health insurance and hourly wages in their negotiations. Understanding the specifics of employer compensation packages and utilizing strong negotiation skills are essential for maximizing earnings and job satisfaction in Huntington Beach.
More salary data for Huntington Beach, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for nuclear medicine technologists in Huntington Beach in 2026?
How much do part-time nuclear medicine technologists make in Huntington Beach?
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How much does a full-time nuclear medicine technologist make per year in Huntington Beach?
Do nuclear medicine technologists earn more per hour working part-time in Huntington Beach?
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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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 4.96% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for nuclear medicine technologists in Huntington Beach. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Huntington Beach 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