Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Laguna Niguel, CA: $171,165 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Laguna Niguel, CA earns a median $171,165/year (≈ $82.29/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Laguna Niguel's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $151,340 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.9% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $171,165 in 2026, nuclear medicine technologists in Laguna Niguel, California enjoy higher compensation than their national counterparts, who earn a median of $106,398. Salaries for this role in the area range significantly, from $133,340 at the 10th percentile to $231,336 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a robust job market informed by regional demand. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local price parity, indicate a competitive landscape for technologists, particularly given the growth of outpatient PET/CT imaging centers and specialized departments within hospitals. The diverse employment environments available in Laguna Niguel create varied salary potentials, which could significantly influence career decisions.
About the Laguna Niguel Market
Salary estimated from California average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $133,340 | $64.11 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $146,797 | $70.58 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $171,165 | $82.29 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $201,053 | $96.66 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $231,336 | $111.22 |
Median Salary Position
60.87% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Laguna Niguel
In Laguna Niguel, CA, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $97,996 (2026 est.). At $171,165, the local median is 60.87% above the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Laguna Niguel: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Laguna Niguel Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Laguna Niguel median: $171,165/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Laguna Niguel Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $176,277 | -2.90% less |
| National Average | $106,398 | +60.87% more |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Laguna Niguel, CA earn a median of $171,165 per year (2026 est.), which is 60.87% higher than the national median of $106,398 and 2.90% below the California state average of $176,277.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Laguna Niguel has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Laguna Niguel, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $171,165 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $151,340 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$125,400
2025 BLS Actual
$163,076
2026 Current Est.
$171,165
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Laguna Niguel (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $125,400 | Actual |
| 2020 | $128,038 | Actual |
| 2021 | $126,703 | Actual |
| 2022 | $137,224 | Actual |
| 2023 | $148,807 | Actual |
| 2024 | $144,955 | Actual |
| 2025 | $163,076 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $171,165 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $179,654 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Laguna Niguel metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 30.0% from $125,400 (2019) to $163,076 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $179,654 by 2027 — a total increase of $54,254 (43.26%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Laguna Niguel 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) | $133,340 – $146,797 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $146,797 – $171,165 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $171,165 – $201,053 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $201,053 – $231,336 |
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 Laguna Niguel
The local job market showcases 16 nuclear medicine technologists currently employed in Laguna Niguel, a modest figure that indicates room for growth in a field experiencing a 4.96% annual increase. While the cost-of-living index stands at 113.1, indicating that living expenses are higher than the national average, this does provide a context for interpreting the local salary figures. Among various employers, hospitals with nuclear medicine departments typically offer higher pay compared to outpatient PET/CT imaging centers. The compensation level is strongly influenced by specific skill sets, such as cross-training in CT and experience with theranostics therapies, which are gaining traction in the industry. Nuclear medicine technologists aiming to maximize pay here should explore roles that involve both PET/CT and SPECT modalities, and consider opportunities in cardiology and mobile imaging.
More salary data for Laguna Niguel, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nuclear medicine technologists make in Laguna Niguel, CA in 2026?
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Can nuclear medicine technologists make $100K in Laguna Niguel?
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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 $163,076 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Laguna Niguel 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 Laguna Niguel 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