Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay in Lake Forest, CA: $83.21 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nuclear medicine technologist working in Lake Forest, CA runs $83.21 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $173,078 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Weighted against Lake Forest's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $73.57 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $103,849 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Lake Forest, California, nuclear medicine technologists earn a median hourly pay of $83.21, significantly surpassing the national median hourly rate of $51.15. This competitive pay structure ensures that professionals working part-time, such as those on a three-day/week schedule, can still thrive financially, especially in demanding environments like hospital nuclear medicine suites and outpatient imaging centers. The hourly range for nuclear medicine technologists in Lake Forest spans from $66.28 at the entry-level to $111.25 for top earners. Such figures highlight the profession's robust earning potential, an incentive for those considering a career in various settings, including cardiac stress test rooms, hot lab radiopharmacy areas, and mobile PET trailers, with figures derived from annual salary estimates further supporting this outlook.
About the Lake Forest 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) | $66.28 | $530.26 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $70.64 | $565.10 |
| Median (P50) | $83.21 | $665.70 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $97.01 | $776.12 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $111.25 | $889.98 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lake Forest
Based on $83.21/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $83.21/hr, a nuclear medicine technologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lake Forest, CA can expect to earn approximately $173,082 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $99,855. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Lake Forest.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lake Forest
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,328.49 | $14,423 | $173,082 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,997.09 | $8,654 | $103,849 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,331.40 | $5,769 | $69,233 |
Compare NMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nuclear Medicine Technologist (Lake Forest) | $83.21 |
| 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 Lake Forest, CA earn a median of $173,078 per year (2026 est.), which is 62.67% higher than the national median of $106,398 and 1.80% below the California state average of $176,250.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $83.21/hr = $103,849/year (purchasing power: $91,820).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $173,082/year (purchasing power: $153,034).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$60.96/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$79.28/hr
2026 Current Est.
$83.21/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Lake Forest (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $60.96/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $62.25/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $61.60/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $66.71/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $72.34/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $70.47/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $79.28/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $83.21/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $87.34/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nuclear medicine technologists in Lake Forest grew 30.0% from $60.96/hr (2019) to $79.28/hr (2025). At a 4.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $87.34/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 Lake Forest 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 Lake Forest
When evaluating the financial prospects for part-time nuclear medicine technologists, the earnings can vary markedly. For example, a technologist working 24 hours per week might take home approximately $103,300 annually, a respectable amount compared to going full-time. For per-diem scenarios, particularly in specialized workplaces such as outpatient oncology centers or hospitals offering lutetium-177 therapies, nuclear medicine technologists often command varying rates, billing between $55 and $95 per hour. This variation depends significantly on the employer type; those stationed at theranostics centers or quaternary facilities tend to earn at the higher end of the spectrum. Choosing a role within settings that offer benefits can result in sacrifice of hourly pay, while the allure of higher rates often draws technologists into per-diem or agency roles. Therefore, understanding local market dynamics and negotiating pay becomes essential in Lake Forest for professionals seeking to maximize their income in the evolving nuclear medicine landscape.
More salary data for Lake Forest, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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How much do part-time nuclear medicine technologists make in Lake Forest?
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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 Lake Forest. 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 Lake Forest 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