Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Lancaster, CA: $179,878 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Lancaster, CA earns a median $179,878/year (≈ $86.48/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Lancaster's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $159,043 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Nuclear medicine technologists in Lancaster, California, can anticipate a favorable median annual salary of $179,878 in 2026, reflecting the demand for specialized skills in the region. The local salary range spans from $132,324 at the 10th percentile to $252,115 at the 90th percentile, indicating significant earning potential for those with advanced expertise in emerging areas such as theranostics. These figures, derived from state-level BLS estimates and considered against local price adjustments, show a substantial 69.06% premium compared to the national median of $106,398. With advancements in therapy options like lutetium-177, the job market is expected to remain competitive, particularly for technologists who further their specialized education within this field.
About the Lancaster Market
Salary estimated from California average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $132,324 | $63.62 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $148,374 | $71.33 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $179,878 | $86.48 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $204,950 | $98.54 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $252,115 | $121.21 |
Median Salary Position
69.06% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lancaster
In Lancaster, CA, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $119,791 (2026 est.). At $179,878, the local median is 69.06% above the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lancaster: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lancaster Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Lancaster median: $179,878/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lancaster Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $176,351 | +2.00% more |
| National Average | $106,398 | +69.06% more |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Lancaster, CA earn a median of $179,878 per year (2026 est.), which is 69.06% higher than the national median of $106,398 and 2.00% above the California state average of $176,351.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lancaster has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lancaster, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $179,878 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $159,043 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$131,784
2025 BLS Actual
$171,378
2026 Current Est.
$179,878
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Lancaster (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $131,784 | Actual |
| 2020 | $134,556 | Actual |
| 2021 | $133,153 | Actual |
| 2022 | $144,210 | Actual |
| 2023 | $156,382 | Actual |
| 2024 | $152,335 | Actual |
| 2025 | $171,378 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $179,878 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $188,800 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lancaster metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 30.0% from $131,784 (2019) to $171,378 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $188,800 by 2027 — a total increase of $57,016 (43.26%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lancaster 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) | $132,324 – $148,374 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $148,374 – $179,878 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $179,878 – $204,950 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $204,950 – $252,115 |
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 Lancaster
In Lancaster, the employment landscape for nuclear medicine technologists features approximately 40 professionals actively working in this critical role. While the cost-of-living index sits at 113.1, slightly higher than the national average, it presents some challenges for take-home pay potential. Employers such as hospital nuclear medicine departments and outpatient PET/CT imaging centers offer some of the most lucrative opportunities for technologists in the area. The variance in salaries is influenced by several factors, including PET/CT versus SPECT-only credentialing, experience in theranostics, and the structural divide between hospital and outpatient settings. To maximize pay, pursuing cross-training in CT, gaining experience with radiopharmaceuticals, and seeking roles in theranostics facilities should be prioritized.
More salary data for Lancaster, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nuclear medicine technologists make in Lancaster, CA in 2026?
Is Lancaster, CA a good place to work as a nuclear medicine technologist?
Can nuclear medicine technologists make $100K in Lancaster?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted nuclear medicine technologist salary in Lancaster?
How much does a nuclear medicine technologist make per hour in Lancaster?
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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 $171,378 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Lancaster 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 Lancaster 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