Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in El Monte, CA: $180,875 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in El Monte, CA earns a median $180,875/year (≈ $86.96/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in El Monte's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $159,925 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.6% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the median annual salary for nuclear medicine technologists in El Monte, California is projected to be $180,875, significantly higher than the national median of $106,398. This premium primarily stems from the local credentialing landscape, where technologists with dual PET/CT certifications command richer compensation compared to their SPECT-only counterparts. Within the city, salaries range from $134,647 at the lower end (P10) to up to $243,860 for the top earners (P90). These figures reflect estimates based on 2025 BLS data and take regional price variations into account, underscoring the competitive climate for skilled professionals in nuclear medicine technology as El Monte continues to grow as a hub for advanced imaging services.
About the El Monte Market
Salary estimated from California average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $134,647 | $64.74 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $150,399 | $72.31 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $180,875 | $86.96 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $211,312 | $101.59 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $243,860 | $117.24 |
Median Salary Position
70.00% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in El Monte
In El Monte, CA, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $109,213 (2026 est.). At $180,875, the local median is 70% above the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in El Monte: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How El Monte Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
El Monte median: $180,875/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | El Monte Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $176,292 | +2.60% more |
| National Average | $106,398 | +70.00% more |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in El Monte, CA earn a median of $180,875 per year (2026 est.), which is 70.00% higher than the national median of $106,398 and 2.60% above the California state average of $176,292.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
El Monte has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
El Monte, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $180,875 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $159,925 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$132,514
2025 BLS Actual
$172,328
2026 Current Est.
$180,875
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in El Monte (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $132,514 | Actual |
| 2020 | $135,302 | Actual |
| 2021 | $133,891 | Actual |
| 2022 | $145,009 | Actual |
| 2023 | $157,249 | Actual |
| 2024 | $153,179 | Actual |
| 2025 | $172,328 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $180,875 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $189,847 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the El Monte metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 30.0% from $132,514 (2019) to $172,328 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $189,847 by 2027 — a total increase of $57,333 (43.27%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the El Monte 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) | $134,647 – $150,399 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $150,399 – $180,875 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $180,875 – $211,312 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $211,312 – $243,860 |
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 El Monte
The local job market for nuclear medicine technologists in El Monte consists of approximately 20 professionals currently employed in the field. With a cost-of-living index of 113.1, those pursuing a career here need to consider how much disposable income their salaries provide. Facilities such as hospital nuclear medicine departments, outpatient PET/CT imaging centers, and cardiology practices offer varying pay scales leading to a wide salary spread. Factors that influence compensation include the demand for PET/CT skills, experience in theranostics, and additional responsibilities, such as on-call duties requiring prompt availability for radiopharmaceuticals. To maximize their earning potential, technologists may consider obtaining cross-training in CT, seeking positions in larger institutions, and staying informed on emerging therapies like those involving lutetium-177, which are significantly shaping market dynamics.
More salary data for El Monte, 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 $172,328 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the El Monte 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 El Monte 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