Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Compton, CA: $174,600 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Compton, CA earns a median $174,600/year (≈ $83.95/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Compton's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $154,377 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.0% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the average annual compensation for a nuclear medicine technologist employed in Compton, California, is expected to reach $174,600. This figure surpasses the national median salary by an impressive 64.10%, highlighting the region's strong local demand for technologists. Salary projections range from $128,083 at the 10th percentile to $224,944 at the 90th percentile, reflecting significant disparities based on specific credentials and workplace settings. Notably, technologists specializing in PET/CT imaging often command higher salaries compared to those focused solely on SPECT. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS state-level data adjusted for regional cost of living factors, indicate a robust job market for nuclear medicine technologists in Compton that is influenced by the rising demand for advanced imaging technologies.
About the Compton Market
Salary estimated from California average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $128,083 | $61.58 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $153,867 | $73.98 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $174,600 | $83.95 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $198,870 | $95.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $224,944 | $108.15 |
Median Salary Position
64.10% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Compton
In Compton, CA, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $96,861 (2026 est.). At $174,600, the local median is 64.1% above the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Compton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Compton Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Compton median: $174,600/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Compton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $176,364 | -1.00% less |
| National Average | $106,398 | +64.10% more |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Compton, CA earn a median of $174,600 per year (2026 est.), which is 64.10% higher than the national median of $106,398 and 1.00% below the California state average of $176,364.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Compton has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Compton, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $174,600 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $154,377 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$127,917
2025 BLS Actual
$166,349
2026 Current Est.
$174,600
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Compton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $127,917 | Actual |
| 2020 | $130,608 | Actual |
| 2021 | $129,246 | Actual |
| 2022 | $139,978 | Actual |
| 2023 | $151,793 | Actual |
| 2024 | $147,864 | Actual |
| 2025 | $166,349 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $174,600 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $183,260 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Compton metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 30.0% from $127,917 (2019) to $166,349 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $183,260 by 2027 — a total increase of $55,343 (43.26%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Compton 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) | $128,083 – $153,867 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $153,867 – $174,600 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $174,600 – $198,870 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $198,870 – $224,944 |
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 Compton
The job market in Compton features approximately 25 nuclear medicine technologists, suggesting a stable employment landscape. With a cost-of-living index of 113.1, professionals must navigate a slightly elevated living environment, which can impact take-home purchasing power. Employers such as hospital nuclear medicine departments, outpatient PET/CT centers, and theranostics facilities are among the highest payers in the region. The income disparity stems from varying credential requirements; specialists in PET/CT and experienced professionals in theranostics therapies generally receive premium compensations. Furthermore, factors like on-call coverage for radiopharmaceutical administration and cross-training in CT significantly influence salary ranges. For those aiming to enhance their earnings in Compton's competitive market, focusing on acquiring PET/CT certifications and seeking roles in high-paying outpatient settings or hospitals can be effective strategies, considering the growing importance of these modalities in the nuclear medicine field.
More salary data for Compton, 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 $166,349 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Compton 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 Compton 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