Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Moreno Valley, CA: $177,921 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Moreno Valley, CA earns a median $177,921/year (≈ $85.54/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Moreno Valley's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $157,313 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Moreno Valley, the projected 2026 median salary for nuclear medicine technologists is $177,921, reflecting a significant premium compared to the national median of $106,398. This local figure spans a salary range from $132,458 at the 10th percentile to $245,347 at the 90th percentile, indicating robust earning potential. The disparity in wages is largely influenced by the varying credentials of technologists in the area, particularly between those proficient in PET/CT imaging and those limited to SPECT-only skills. Equipped with a PET/CT certification, professionals can command higher salaries, aligning with the increasing demand for advanced imaging services. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS state-level data, adjusted for regional cost considerations, and indicate a strong job market for nuclear medicine technologists in Moreno Valley.
About the Moreno Valley Market
Salary estimated from California average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $132,458 | $63.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $148,731 | $71.51 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $177,921 | $85.54 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $213,958 | $102.86 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $245,347 | $117.95 |
Median Salary Position
67.22% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Moreno Valley
In Moreno Valley, CA, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $112,889 (2026 est.). At $177,921, the local median is 67.22% above the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Moreno Valley: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Moreno Valley Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Moreno Valley median: $177,921/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Moreno Valley Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $176,334 | +0.90% more |
| National Average | $106,398 | +67.22% more |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Moreno Valley, CA earn a median of $177,921 per year (2026 est.), which is 67.22% higher than the national median of $106,398 and 0.90% above the California state average of $176,334.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Moreno Valley has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Moreno Valley, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $177,921 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $157,313 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$130,350
2025 BLS Actual
$169,513
2026 Current Est.
$177,921
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Moreno Valley (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $130,350 | Actual |
| 2020 | $133,092 | Actual |
| 2021 | $131,704 | Actual |
| 2022 | $142,640 | Actual |
| 2023 | $154,680 | Actual |
| 2024 | $150,677 | Actual |
| 2025 | $169,513 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $177,921 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $186,746 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Moreno Valley metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 30.0% from $130,350 (2019) to $169,513 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $186,746 by 2027 — a total increase of $56,396 (43.27%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Moreno Valley 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) | $132,458 – $148,731 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $148,731 – $177,921 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $177,921 – $213,958 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $213,958 – $245,347 |
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 Moreno Valley
On the local employment front, there are currently 53 nuclear medicine technologists working in Moreno Valley, CA. The cost of living index stands at 113.1, slightly above the national average, which affects the overall purchasing power of these salaries. Among the top employers in the region, hospital nuclear medicine departments and outpatient PET/CT imaging centers offer more competitive pay, while cardiology practices and mobile PET imaging companies also provide viable job opportunities. The wide salary range in the area can be attributed to factors such as experience with theranostics therapies, like those using lutetium-177, and additional qualifications in CT scanning. To maximize earning potential in this market, technologists should consider pursuing cross-training in CT, staying updated on new radiopharmaceutical technologies, and exploring opportunities in both inpatient and outpatient settings that specialize in advanced imaging.
More salary data for Moreno Valley, 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 $169,513 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Moreno Valley 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 Moreno Valley 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