Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay in Santa Maria, CA: $84.77 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nuclear medicine technologist working in Santa Maria, CA runs $84.77 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $176,303 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Weighted against Santa Maria's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $74.95 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $105,788 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, a nuclear medicine technologist in Santa Maria, California, earns a commendable median hourly rate of $84.77, significantly higher than the national median of $51.15. This robust compensation reflects the specialized training and skills required for roles typically found in hospital nuclear medicine suites, PET/CT imaging centers, and theranostics infusion suites. Practical hourly rates for professionals in this field vary from $66.33 for entry-level positions to $115.33 for seasoned practitioners. For part-time nuclear medicine technologists who may work three days a week, the appealing hourly pay structure allows for flexibility while still enabling a solid income. Furthermore, per-diem workers can take advantage of the lucrative hourly rates to supplement their earnings, providing crucial imaging services in high-demand settings such as cardiac stress test rooms and mobile PET trailers.
About the Santa Maria 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) | $66.33 | $530.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $72.93 | $583.41 |
| Median (P50) | $84.77 | $678.13 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $99.65 | $797.19 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $115.33 | $922.64 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Santa Maria
Based on $84.77/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $84.77/hr, a nuclear medicine technologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Santa Maria, CA can expect to earn approximately $176,313 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $101,719. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Santa Maria.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Santa Maria
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $3,390.63 | $14,693 | $176,313 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $2,034.38 | $8,816 | $105,788 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,356.25 | $5,877 | $70,525 |
Compare NMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nuclear Medicine Technologist (Santa Maria) | $84.77 |
| 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 Santa Maria, CA earn a median of $176,303 per year (2026 est.), which is 65.70% higher than the national median of $106,398.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $84.77/hr = $105,788/year (purchasing power: $93,535).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $176,313/year (purchasing power: $155,891).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$62.10/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$80.76/hr
2026 Current Est.
$84.77/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Santa Maria (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62.10/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $63.41/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $62.75/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $67.96/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $73.69/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $71.78/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $80.76/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $84.77/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $88.97/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nuclear medicine technologists in Santa Maria grew 30.0% from $62.10/hr (2019) to $80.76/hr (2025). At a 4.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $88.97/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 Santa Maria 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 Santa Maria
Focusing on the compensation dynamics within Santa Maria, the earnings potential for part-time nuclear medicine technologists significantly contrasts with full-time positions. For example, a part-time professional working 24 hours per week at $84.77/hr would take home approximately $105,000 annually, a respectable sum, albeit less than their full-time counterparts. Per-diem nuclear medicine technologist pay in Santa Maria reflects the competitive environment, with rates commonly billed between $55-$80/hr for general roles, while specialized PET/CT technologists can see hourly earnings jump to $65-$95/hr in outpatient oncology centers. In facilities like VA medical centers or theranostics centers, which may offer lower hourly rates, workers often find the trade-off for benefits appealing. When negotiating compensation, it’s advisable to assess the balance between hourly pay and offered health benefits, as well as consider the employer type—hospitals may provide better benefits, while outpatient facilities could offer higher base rates without benefits. Understanding these variances can empower nuclear medicine technologists to make informed decisions in managing their careers in Santa Maria.
More salary data for Santa Maria, 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 Santa Maria. 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 Santa Maria 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