Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Brentwood, CA: $175,842 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Brentwood, CA earns a median $175,842/year (≈ $84.53/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Brentwood's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $155,475 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.3% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, nuclear medicine technologists in Brentwood, California, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $175,842, significantly higher than the national median of $106,398. The salary range for this profession spans from $131,176 at the lower end (P10) to $240,668 at the upper end (P90), reflecting local demand driven by advancements in theranostics and PET/CT imaging. These figures, derived from BLS 2025 estimates projected to 2026 and adjusted for regional cost factors, underscore the opportunity for highly skilled technologists specializing in radiopharmaceutical therapies like Pluvicto and Lutathera. With the market becoming increasingly competitive, Brentwood's landscape shows promising prospects for those who can adapt to the evolving needs of diagnostic imaging facilities.
About the Brentwood Market
Salary estimated from California average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $131,176 | $63.07 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $145,913 | $70.16 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $175,842 | $84.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $201,651 | $96.95 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $240,668 | $115.71 |
Median Salary Position
65.27% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Brentwood
In Brentwood, CA, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $109,492 (2026 est.). At $175,842, the local median is 65.27% above the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Brentwood: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Brentwood Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Brentwood median: $175,842/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Brentwood Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $176,371 | -0.30% less |
| National Average | $106,398 | +65.27% more |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Brentwood, CA earn a median of $175,842 per year (2026 est.), which is 65.27% higher than the national median of $106,398 and 0.30% below the California state average of $176,371.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Brentwood has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Brentwood, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $175,842 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $155,475 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$128,826
2025 BLS Actual
$167,532
2026 Current Est.
$175,842
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Brentwood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $128,826 | Actual |
| 2020 | $131,537 | Actual |
| 2021 | $130,165 | Actual |
| 2022 | $140,973 | Actual |
| 2023 | $152,873 | Actual |
| 2024 | $148,916 | Actual |
| 2025 | $167,532 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $175,842 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $184,563 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Brentwood metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 30.0% from $128,826 (2019) to $167,532 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $184,563 by 2027 — a total increase of $55,737 (43.27%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Brentwood 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) | $131,176 – $145,913 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $145,913 – $175,842 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $175,842 – $201,651 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $201,651 – $240,668 |
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 Brentwood
With 13 nuclear medicine technologists employed in Brentwood, the local job market is relatively compact yet supports a strong level of compensation. The area's cost-of-living index of 113.1 means expenses are above the national average, potentially impacting take-home pay. Employers such as local VA medical centers and outpatient PET/CT imaging facilities typically offer the most lucrative opportunities, while hospitals may present varied pay scales based on experience and credentialing. The disparity in salaries largely stems from the complexity of procedures performed, with PET/CT technologists generally earning more than those focusing solely on SPECT imaging. Therefore, professionals aiming to enhance their nuclear medicine technologist pay in Brentwood, CA, should consider cross-training in CT and pursuing certifications that align with theranostics to capitalize on emerging trends in this specialty.
More salary data for Brentwood, 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
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 $167,532 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Brentwood 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 Brentwood 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