Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Chino Hills, CA: $176,610 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Chino Hills, CA earns a median $176,610/year (≈ $84.91/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Chino Hills's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $156,154 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Nuclear medicine technologists in Chino Hills, CA, can anticipate a median annual salary of $176,610 in 2026, reflecting a 65.99% increase over the national median of $106,398. The local pay range extends from $132,812 at the 10th percentile to $231,575 at the 90th percentile, indicating significant earning potential dependent on specialization and experience. These salary figures, derived from 2025 BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional price parities, highlight the Lucrative nature of the profession, especially for those engaged in advanced theranostics which is increasingly gaining traction in the medical field. As the demand for PET/CT imaging and related therapies rises, Chino Hills presents a robust job market for nuclear medicine technologists.
About the Chino Hills Market
Salary estimated from California average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $132,812 | $63.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $147,483 | $70.90 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $176,610 | $84.91 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $203,584 | $97.88 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $231,575 | $111.33 |
Median Salary Position
65.99% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chino Hills
In Chino Hills, CA, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $98,763 (2026 est.). At $176,610, the local median is 65.99% above the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Chino Hills: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Chino Hills Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Chino Hills median: $176,610/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Chino Hills Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $176,257 | +0.20% more |
| National Average | $106,398 | +65.99% more |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Chino Hills, CA earn a median of $176,610 per year (2026 est.), which is 65.99% higher than the national median of $106,398 and 0.20% above the California state average of $176,257.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Chino Hills has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Chino Hills, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $176,610 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $156,154 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$129,389
2025 BLS Actual
$168,264
2026 Current Est.
$176,610
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Chino Hills (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $129,389 | Actual |
| 2020 | $132,111 | Actual |
| 2021 | $130,734 | Actual |
| 2022 | $141,589 | Actual |
| 2023 | $153,541 | Actual |
| 2024 | $149,567 | Actual |
| 2025 | $168,264 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $176,610 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $185,370 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Chino Hills metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 30.0% from $129,389 (2019) to $168,264 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $185,370 by 2027 — a total increase of $55,981 (43.27%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chino Hills 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) | $132,812 – $147,483 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $147,483 – $176,610 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $176,610 – $203,584 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $203,584 – $231,575 |
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 Chino Hills
The local job market comprises 21 nuclear medicine technologists, all navigating a cost of living index of 113.1, which on average indicates higher living costs compared to other regions. For nuclear medicine technologist pay in Chino Hills, facilities such as advanced theranostics centers and outpatient PET/CT imaging centers tend to offer the most competitive compensation, especially for those with SPECT and PET/CT credentials. The gap between the lowest and highest salaries is driven by variations in the types of procedures performed, the necessity for on-call duties, and additional cross-training in CT. To maximize earnings in this market, professionals should pursue advanced certifications focusing on PET/CT and gain experience in theranostics, as these credentials position them favorably against the increasing shift toward integrated imaging technologies that command premium salaries.
More salary data for Chino Hills, 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 $168,264 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Chino Hills 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 Chino Hills 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