Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Carson, CA: $172,770 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Carson, CA earns a median $172,770/year (≈ $83.07/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Carson's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $152,759 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Nuclear medicine technologists in Carson, California, are positioned in a unique market where the median annual salary reaches an impressive $172,770. This figure significantly surpasses the national median of $106,398, highlighting a robust demand for skilled professionals in the region. Salaries in Carson range from $137,842 at the 10th percentile to $236,686 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the varying levels of experience and specialization in the field. Local estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and regional cost adjustments, underscore the evolving landscape of nuclear medicine technology. The choice between working in a hospital setting or an outpatient PET/CT imaging center can impact earnings, with outpatient practices typically offering competitive pay to attract and retain top talent.
About the Carson Market
Salary estimated from California average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $137,842 | $66.27 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $150,082 | $72.16 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $172,770 | $83.07 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $194,480 | $93.50 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $236,686 | $113.79 |
Median Salary Position
62.38% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Carson
In Carson, CA, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $98,844 (2026 est.). At $172,770, the local median is 62.38% above the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Carson: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Carson Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Carson median: $172,770/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Carson Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $176,296 | -2.00% less |
| National Average | $106,398 | +62.38% more |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Carson, CA earn a median of $172,770 per year (2026 est.), which is 62.38% higher than the national median of $106,398 and 2.00% below the California state average of $176,296.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Carson has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Carson, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $172,770 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $152,759 — a 11.58% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$126,576
2025 BLS Actual
$164,606
2026 Current Est.
$172,770
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Carson (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $126,576 | Actual |
| 2020 | $129,239 | Actual |
| 2021 | $127,892 | Actual |
| 2022 | $138,511 | Actual |
| 2023 | $150,203 | Actual |
| 2024 | $146,315 | Actual |
| 2025 | $164,606 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $172,770 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $181,340 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Carson metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 30.0% from $126,576 (2019) to $164,606 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $181,340 by 2027 — a total increase of $54,764 (43.27%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Carson 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) | $137,842 – $150,082 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $150,082 – $172,770 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $172,770 – $194,480 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $194,480 – $236,686 |
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 Carson
The job market in Carson is characterized by 21 employed nuclear medicine technologists, a number that reflects both the local demand and the breadth of available opportunities. With a cost-of-living index of 113.1, professionals in this field must navigate a reality where salaries must stretch further to support living expenses. Among local employers, hospital nuclear medicine departments and outpatient PET/CT imaging centers generally provide the highest compensation, with the former often favoring technologists with broad SPECT and PET/CT credentials. Factors such as the need for on-call coverage, specialized theranostics experience, and advanced certifications like those from the SNMMI-TS and NMTCB heavily influence salary differentials. To maximize pay in the Carson market, technologists should consider cross-training in CT and seeking opportunities with mobile PET imaging companies, which are becoming increasingly relevant as radiopharmaceutical therapies gain traction. Additionally, pursuing further education and specialized training in advanced techniques can position them favorably within this competitive field.
More salary data for Carson, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nuclear medicine technologists make in Carson, CA in 2026?
Is Carson, CA a good place to work as a nuclear medicine technologist?
Can nuclear medicine technologists make $100K in Carson?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted nuclear medicine technologist salary in Carson?
How much does a nuclear medicine technologist make per hour in Carson?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in California
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 $164,606 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Carson 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 Carson 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