Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Apple Valley, CA: $175,130 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Apple Valley, CA earns a median $175,130/year (≈ $84.20/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Apple Valley's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $154,845 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a 2026 median annual salary of $175,130, nuclear medicine technologists in Apple Valley, California, enjoy a significant compensation advantage compared to their national counterparts, who are projected to earn a median of $106,398. The pay scale varies considerably in the region, with salaries ranging from $129,502 at the 10th percentile to $226,693 at the 90th percentile. This disparity reflects differences in certification levels, particularly between those holding PET/CT credentials versus SPECT-only credentials, which heavily influences earnings. The effects of regional price adjustments roll into these estimates, emphasizing the competitive pay structure unique to Apple Valley’s job market, where specialists increasingly benefit from the integration of advanced imaging techniques and therapies.
About the Apple Valley Market
Salary estimated from California average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $129,502 | $62.26 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $154,973 | $74.51 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $175,130 | $84.20 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $200,247 | $96.27 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $226,693 | $108.99 |
Median Salary Position
64.60% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Apple Valley
In Apple Valley, CA, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $97,191 (2026 est.). At $175,130, the local median is 64.6% above the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Apple Valley: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Apple Valley Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Apple Valley median: $175,130/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Apple Valley Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $176,365 | -0.70% less |
| National Average | $106,398 | +64.60% more |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Apple Valley, CA earn a median of $175,130 per year (2026 est.), which is 64.60% higher than the national median of $106,398 and 0.70% below the California state average of $176,365.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Apple Valley has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Apple Valley, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $175,130 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $154,845 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$128,305
2025 BLS Actual
$166,854
2026 Current Est.
$175,130
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Apple Valley (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $128,305 | Actual |
| 2020 | $131,004 | Actual |
| 2021 | $129,638 | Actual |
| 2022 | $140,403 | Actual |
| 2023 | $152,254 | Actual |
| 2024 | $148,313 | Actual |
| 2025 | $166,854 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $175,130 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $183,816 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Apple Valley metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 30.0% from $128,305 (2019) to $166,854 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $183,816 by 2027 — a total increase of $55,511 (43.26%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Apple Valley 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $129,502 – $154,973 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $154,973 – $175,130 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $175,130 – $200,247 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $200,247 – $226,693 |
NMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nuclear medicine technologist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Job Market in Apple Valley
The local job market comprises 19 employed nuclear medicine technologists, indicating a modest but stable demand in Apple Valley. With a cost-of-living index of 113.1, workers must navigate a slightly elevated expense environment that impacts their take-home purchasing power. Employers like hospital nuclear medicine departments, outpatient PET/CT imaging centers, and various cardiology practices typically offer the highest salaries. Factors influencing pay include experience with cutting-edge theranostics like lutetium-177 therapies, on-call coverage needs, and the vital cross-training that can pave the way for additional income. To maximize earnings in this local market, technologists should focus on obtaining PET/CT credentials, seek opportunities in high-demand settings, and consider embracing nuancing roles that involve newer therapies aligned with industry growth trends.
More salary data for Apple Valley, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nuclear medicine technologists make in Apple Valley, CA in 2026?
Is Apple Valley, CA a good place to work as a nuclear medicine technologist?
Can nuclear medicine technologists make $100K in Apple Valley?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted nuclear medicine technologist salary in Apple Valley?
How much does a nuclear medicine technologist make per hour in Apple Valley?
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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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $166,854 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Apple Valley metropolitan area. A 4.96% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Apple Valley 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