Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Downey, CA: $178,497 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Downey, CA earns a median $178,497/year (≈ $85.82/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Downey's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $157,822 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Downey, California, nuclear medicine technologists can expect a median annual salary of $178,497 in 2026, significantly surpassing the national median by approximately 67.76%. The compensation range is quite competitive, with salaries spanning from $128,419 at the 10th percentile to $247,353 at the 90th percentile. These figures are estimates derived from state-level data and regional cost adjustments, reflecting a unique local job market. The difference in pay primarily stems from the credential split between PET/CT and SPECT-only technologists, with those holding PET/CT credentials commanding higher salaries due to increased demand for advanced imaging techniques.
About the Downey Market
Salary estimated from California average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $128,419 | $61.74 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $152,324 | $73.23 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $178,497 | $85.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $212,514 | $102.17 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $247,353 | $118.92 |
Median Salary Position
67.76% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Downey
In Downey, CA, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $118,934 (2026 est.). At $178,497, the local median is 67.76% above the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Downey: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Downey Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Downey median: $178,497/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Downey Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $176,206 | +1.30% more |
| National Average | $106,398 | +67.76% more |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Downey, CA earn a median of $178,497 per year (2026 est.), which is 67.76% higher than the national median of $106,398 and 1.30% above the California state average of $176,206.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Downey has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Downey, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $178,497 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $157,822 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$130,772
2025 BLS Actual
$170,062
2026 Current Est.
$178,497
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Downey (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $130,772 | Actual |
| 2020 | $133,523 | Actual |
| 2021 | $132,131 | Actual |
| 2022 | $143,102 | Actual |
| 2023 | $155,181 | Actual |
| 2024 | $151,165 | Actual |
| 2025 | $170,062 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $178,497 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $187,351 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Downey metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 30.0% from $130,772 (2019) to $170,062 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $187,351 by 2027 — a total increase of $56,579 (43.27%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Downey 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) | $128,419 – $152,324 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $152,324 – $178,497 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $178,497 – $212,514 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $212,514 – $247,353 |
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 Downey
In 2026, the job market for nuclear medicine technologists in Downey consists of about 22 practitioners, highlighting a localized yet robust presence in healthcare. The cost of living index stands at 113.1, indicating that while salaries are competitive, the purchasing power may be affected by higher local expenses. Employers such as outpatient PET/CT imaging centers and theranostics facilities tend to offer the most attractive compensation packages aimed at attracting qualified professionals. The salary spread is influenced by various factors including the credentialing mix, the premium for experience in theranostics practices, and the complexities of on-call radiopharmaceutical management. To optimize earning potential, technologists in Downey should consider obtaining cross-training in CT, pursuing additional certifications, or seeking roles that include PET/CT capabilities, as these factors can lead to not only higher salaries but also greater job security.
More salary data for Downey, 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 $170,062 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Downey 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 Downey 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