Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Daly City, CA: $180,933 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Daly City, CA earns a median $180,933/year (≈ $86.99/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Daly City's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $159,976 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.6% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Daly City, California, nuclear medicine technologists can expect to earn a median annual salary of $180,933 in 2026, a figure that notably surpasses the national median of $106,398 by over 70%. The salary range for this occupation varies significantly, with entry-level professionals earning approximately $134,054 and experienced technologists making as much as $237,323. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data projected to 2026 and adjusted for local regional price parities, reflect trends in credentialing; those with PET/CT certification tend to command higher pay compared to their SPECT-only peers. The job market for nuclear medicine technologists in Daly City is quite competitive, making it an appealing location for skilled professionals in this field.
About the Daly City Market
Salary estimated from California average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $134,054 | $64.45 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $150,517 | $72.36 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $180,933 | $86.99 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $207,450 | $99.73 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $237,323 | $114.10 |
Median Salary Position
70.05% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Daly City
In Daly City, CA, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $103,269 (2026 est.). At $180,933, the local median is 70.05% above the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Daly City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Daly City Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Daly City median: $180,933/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Daly City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $176,348 | +2.60% more |
| National Average | $106,398 | +70.05% more |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Daly City, CA earn a median of $180,933 per year (2026 est.), which is 70.05% higher than the national median of $106,398 and 2.60% above the California state average of $176,348.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Daly City has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Daly City, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $180,933 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $159,976 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$132,557
2025 BLS Actual
$172,383
2026 Current Est.
$180,933
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Daly City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $132,557 | Actual |
| 2020 | $135,345 | Actual |
| 2021 | $133,934 | Actual |
| 2022 | $145,055 | Actual |
| 2023 | $157,299 | Actual |
| 2024 | $153,228 | Actual |
| 2025 | $172,383 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $180,933 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $189,907 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Daly City metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 30.0% from $132,557 (2019) to $172,383 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $189,907 by 2027 — a total increase of $57,350 (43.26%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Daly City 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) | $134,054 – $150,517 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $150,517 – $180,933 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $180,933 – $207,450 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $207,450 – $237,323 |
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 Daly City
Employers in Daly City offer varying compensation levels, with hospital nuclear medicine departments and outpatient PET/CT imaging centers typically providing the highest pay. The area's cost of living, indexed at 113.1, influences take-home purchasing power, making it essential for technologists to consider how salary aligns with living expenses. To maximize earnings, professionals should seek training in cross-sectional imaging, acquire both PET/CT and SPECT credentials, and look for opportunities at theranostics centers, which offer specialized therapies and pay premiums for experience. Additionally, those who take on on-call duties may also see a substantial increase in their overall compensation, reflecting the demand for timely radiopharmaceutical delivery. Given the ongoing growth in nuclear medicine fields, particularly with advancements in theranostics therapies such as Lutathera, the nuclear medicine technologist pay in Daly City, CA, remains robust in comparison to many other markets.
More salary data for Daly City, 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 $172,383 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Daly City 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 Daly City 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