Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Fairfield, CA: $181,759 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Fairfield, CA earns a median $181,759/year (≈ $87.38/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Fairfield's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $160,706 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.1% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, nuclear medicine technologists in Fairfield, California, are expected to earn a median annual salary of $181,759, significantly above the national median of $106,398. The salary range is robust, spanning from $136,536 at the 10th percentile to $239,652 at the 90th percentile. These numbers reflect local estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost of living factors. It’s clear that the rise of theranostics, including advanced therapies such as lutetium-177 treatments, is contributing to the heightening demand and corresponding salaries for the field. As the job market strengthens for these highly trained specialists, Fairfield shows potential for increased opportunities and higher compensation.
About the Fairfield Market
Salary estimated from California average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $136,536 | $65.64 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $152,206 | $73.18 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $181,759 | $87.38 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $209,560 | $100.75 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $239,652 | $115.21 |
Median Salary Position
70.83% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fairfield
In Fairfield, CA, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $103,116 (2026 est.). At $181,759, the local median is 70.83% above the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fairfield: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Fairfield Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Fairfield median: $181,759/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fairfield Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $176,294 | +3.10% more |
| National Average | $106,398 | +70.83% more |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Fairfield, CA earn a median of $181,759 per year (2026 est.), which is 70.83% higher than the national median of $106,398 and 3.10% above the California state average of $176,294.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fairfield has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fairfield, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $181,759 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $160,706 — a 11.58% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$133,162
2025 BLS Actual
$173,170
2026 Current Est.
$181,759
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Fairfield (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $133,162 | Actual |
| 2020 | $135,963 | Actual |
| 2021 | $134,545 | Actual |
| 2022 | $145,718 | Actual |
| 2023 | $158,017 | Actual |
| 2024 | $153,927 | Actual |
| 2025 | $173,170 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $181,759 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $190,774 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fairfield metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 30.0% from $133,162 (2019) to $173,170 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $190,774 by 2027 — a total increase of $57,612 (43.26%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fairfield 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) | $136,536 – $152,206 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $152,206 – $181,759 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $181,759 – $209,560 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $209,560 – $239,652 |
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 Fairfield
The local job market in Fairfield currently employs 25 nuclear medicine technologists, a relatively small workforce that can lead to competitive salary offerings. However, the cost of living index stands at 113.1, indicating that while salaries may be high, the actual purchasing power may not reflect those numbers perfectly. Employers in the region, particularly within hospital nuclear medicine departments, outpatient PET/CT imaging centers, and theranostics facilities, tend to offer the most competitive pay. This salary spread can often be attributed to the varying responsibilities associated with PET/CT certifications versus SPECT-only roles, as well as the necessity of being on-call for radiopharmaceutical oversights. To enhance earning potential in Fairfield, technologists should consider cross-training in CT imaging and seeking employment in settings that specialize in theranostics to capitalize on the expected growth in this area.
More salary data for Fairfield, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nuclear medicine technologists make in Fairfield, CA in 2026?
Is Fairfield, CA a good place to work as a nuclear medicine technologist?
Can nuclear medicine technologists make $100K in Fairfield?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted nuclear medicine technologist salary in Fairfield?
How much does a nuclear medicine technologist make per hour in Fairfield?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in California
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 $173,170 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Fairfield 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 Fairfield 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