Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay in San Diego, CA: $81.94 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nuclear medicine technologist working in San Diego, CA runs $81.94 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $170,434 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Weighted against San Diego's regional price level (BEA RPP 111.9, 12% above national), each hour of work buys what $73.24 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $102,264 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the nuclear medicine technologist hourly pay in San Diego, California, reaches a median of $81.94, significantly higher than the national hourly median of $51.15. For those considering part-time positions, such as working three days a week, this pay translates into substantial earnings, while per-diem workers in settings like hospital nuclear medicine suites and PET/CT imaging centers can expect a lucrative hourly compensation. The hourly range for this field varies from $61.96 at entry-level positions to $85.01 for top earners in specialized roles within cardiac stress test rooms and theranostics infusion suites. This data is based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to give insight into the prospective earning landscape for nuclear medicine technologists in San Diego.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $61.96 | $495.66 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $67.96 | $543.69 |
| Median (P50) | $81.94 | $655.54 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $83.86 | $670.90 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $85.01 | $680.06 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in San Diego
Based on $81.94/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $81.94/hr, a nuclear medicine technologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in San Diego, CA can expect to earn approximately $170,440 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $98,331. With a cost-of-living index of 111.89 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in San Diego.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in San Diego
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,277.69 | $14,203 | $170,440 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,966.61 | $8,522 | $102,264 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,311.08 | $5,681 | $68,176 |
Compare NMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nuclear Medicine Technologist (San Diego) | $81.94 |
| 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 San Diego, CA earn a median of $170,434 per year (2026 est.), which is 60.19% higher than the national median of $106,398 and 3.30% below the California state average of $176,250.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $81.94/hr = $102,264/year (purchasing power: $91,399).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $170,440/year (purchasing power: $152,332).
CoL index: 111.887 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$57.64/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$78.07/hr
2026 Current Est.
$81.94/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in San Diego (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57.64/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $60.28/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $62.19/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $58.80/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $70.41/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $75.09/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $78.07/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81.94/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $86.01/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nuclear medicine technologists in San Diego grew 35.4% from $57.64/hr (2019) to $78.07/hr (2025). At a 4.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $86.01/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 San Diego 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 San Diego
Beyond the numbers, a part-time nuclear medicine technologist in San Diego working 24 hours a week can earn a solid income, although full-time positions would inevitably yield higher annual earnings. For those in per-diem roles, billing anywhere from $55 to $80 per hour, particularly in outpatient oncology settings or theranostics facilities, can lead to lucrative opportunities, especially for PET/CT techs who command $65-$95/hour. Hourly wages also vary depending on employers, with public sector roles at VA medical centers often offering more stable pay but potentially less flexibility than positions in mobile PET imaging companies or outpatient facilities. Some technologists may opt for the benefits associated with hospital employment, trading a lower hourly rate for health insurance, while others pursue higher pay without benefits. For nuclear medicine technologists looking to negotiate their hourly rate in San Diego, thorough research and understanding of market trends in this specialized sector can be advantageous, particularly in the growing fields of PET/CT and theranostics.
More salary data for San Diego, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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How much do part-time nuclear medicine technologists make in San Diego?
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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 San Diego. 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