Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay in Los Angeles, CA: $78.93 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nuclear medicine technologist working in Los Angeles, CA runs $78.93 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $164,168 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Weighted against Los Angeles's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.6, 14% above national), each hour of work buys what $69.50 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $98,505 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Nuclear medicine technologists in Los Angeles, CA, earn a median hourly pay of $78.93, a figure significantly higher than the national hourly median of $51.15. This competitive hourly rate makes the profession attractive for both full-time and part-time workers. In a typical work environment that includes hospital nuclear medicine suites, PET/CT imaging centers, and mobile PET trailers, technologists can thrive as per-diem workers. With entry-level positions starting at around $62.12 per hour and more experienced top earners being compensated at $89.43 per hour or more, there’s potential for a lucrative career. Official Bureau of Labor Statistics data for 2026 indicates that those working within specialized areas like theranostics can expect to negotiate even higher pay rates, reflecting both the complexity of their work and the rising demand for these services in the dynamic healthcare setting of Los Angeles.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $62.12 | $496.92 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $67.05 | $536.39 |
| Median (P50) | $78.93 | $631.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $84.84 | $678.71 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $89.43 | $715.41 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Los Angeles
Based on $78.93/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $78.93/hr, a nuclear medicine technologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Los Angeles, CA can expect to earn approximately $164,174 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $94,716. With a cost-of-living index of 113.57 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Los Angeles.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Los Angeles
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,157.20 | $13,681 | $164,174 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,894.32 | $8,209 | $98,505 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,262.88 | $5,472 | $65,670 |
Compare NMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nuclear Medicine Technologist (Los Angeles) | $78.93 |
| 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 Los Angeles, CA earn a median of $164,168 per year (2026 est.), which is 54.30% higher than the national median of $106,398 and 6.90% below the California state average of $176,335.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $78.93/hr = $98,505/year (purchasing power: $86,738).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $164,174/year (purchasing power: $144,563).
CoL index: 113.566 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$53.87/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$75.20/hr
2026 Current Est.
$78.93/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+53.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Los Angeles (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53.87/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $57.21/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $60.54/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $62.45/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $65.00/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $69.80/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $75.20/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $78.93/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $82.84/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nuclear medicine technologists in Los Angeles grew 39.6% from $53.87/hr (2019) to $75.20/hr (2025). At a 4.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $82.84/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 Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles
When assessing the financial realities of being a nuclear medicine technologist, part-time professionals who work a three-day week can anticipate an annual income nearing $61,000 if they regularly clock a total of 24 hours weekly. For those opting for per-diem or agency roles, options abound in Los Angeles, with typical rates ranging from $55 to $80 per hour, and specialized PET/CT technologists at outpatient oncology centers earning between $65 and $95 per hour. In this evolving field, salaries vary significantly depending on the employer type; for instance, hospital positions typically offer more stable hours and benefits, while independent theranostics centers may provide higher hourly rates at the expense of health insurance. Negotiations can prove critical, and workers should assess whether the security and benefits of traditional employment outweigh the potentially higher hourly pay found in per-diem contracts, particularly in a city with a cost of living index of over 113.5.
More salary data for Los Angeles, 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
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 Los Angeles. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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