Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Lake Elsinore, CA: $175,744 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Lake Elsinore, CA earns a median $175,744/year (≈ $84.49/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Lake Elsinore's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $155,388 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.3% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, nuclear medicine technologists in Lake Elsinore, California, are projected to earn a median salary of $175,744, significantly higher than the national median of $106,398. The local salary range spans from $130,946 at the lower end to $239,887 for the top earners, reflecting a robust job market influenced by a split between PET/CT and SPECT-only credentials. These figures are based on estimates derived from BLS state-level data and regional price adjustments, illustrating that the mixed skill set in this field is driving pay disparities significantly. As the demand for both PET/CT and theranostics grows, Lake Elsinore's employment outlook appears favorable for those holding advanced qualifications in these modalities.
About the Lake Elsinore Market
Salary estimated from California average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $130,946 | $62.96 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $145,714 | $70.05 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $175,744 | $84.49 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $197,844 | $95.11 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $239,887 | $115.33 |
Median Salary Position
65.18% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lake Elsinore
In Lake Elsinore, CA, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $108,941 (2026 est.). At $175,744, the local median is 65.18% above the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lake Elsinore: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lake Elsinore Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Lake Elsinore median: $175,744/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lake Elsinore Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $176,273 | -0.30% less |
| National Average | $106,398 | +65.18% more |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Lake Elsinore, CA earn a median of $175,744 per year (2026 est.), which is 65.18% higher than the national median of $106,398 and 0.30% below the California state average of $176,273.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lake Elsinore has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lake Elsinore, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $175,744 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $155,388 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$128,755
2025 BLS Actual
$167,439
2026 Current Est.
$175,744
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Lake Elsinore (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $128,755 | Actual |
| 2020 | $131,464 | Actual |
| 2021 | $130,093 | Actual |
| 2022 | $140,895 | Actual |
| 2023 | $152,788 | Actual |
| 2024 | $148,834 | Actual |
| 2025 | $167,439 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $175,744 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $184,461 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lake Elsinore metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 30.0% from $128,755 (2019) to $167,439 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $184,461 by 2027 — a total increase of $55,706 (43.27%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lake Elsinore 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) | $130,946 – $145,714 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $145,714 – $175,744 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $175,744 – $197,844 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $197,844 – $239,887 |
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 Lake Elsinore
The job market for nuclear medicine technologists in Lake Elsinore is buoyed by the current employment of 18 professionals in the area, but the cost of living index, at 113.1, suggests that take-home purchasing power may vary considerably. Higher paying opportunities typically arise in hospital nuclear medicine departments, outpatient PET/CT imaging centers, and organizations utilizing theranostics therapies. Factors contributing to the pay spread include the dual certification in PET/CT, experience in theranostics centers, and the demands of on-call coverage, all of which command a premium. To maximize earnings in this competitive market, technologists should consider obtaining both PET/CT and CT cross-training certifications, as well as seeking roles within high-demand facilities that offer upper-range compensation, positioning themselves advantageously in Lake Elsinore's evolving healthcare sector.
More salary data for Lake Elsinore, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nuclear medicine technologists make in Lake Elsinore, CA in 2026?
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Can nuclear medicine technologists make $100K in Lake Elsinore?
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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 $167,439 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Lake Elsinore 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 Lake Elsinore 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