Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Ontario, CA: $160,488 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Ontario, CA earns a median $160,488/year (≈ $77.16/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Ontario's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $141,899 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 9.0% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Nuclear medicine technologists in Ontario, CA, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $160,488 in 2026, reflecting robust earnings compared to the national median of $106,398. The local salary range extends from $118,865 at the 10th percentile to $215,587 at the 90th percentile, showcasing significant income potential in this field. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost variations, illustrate the compensation dynamics associated with the structural distinction between hospital-based nuclear medicine departments and outpatient PET/CT centers. With the growth rate for this profession anticipated at 4.96% annually, professionals here are well-positioned to capitalize on the demand for nuclear medicine services in Ontario.
About the Ontario Market
Salary estimated from California average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $118,865 | $57.15 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $132,990 | $63.94 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $160,488 | $77.16 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $187,027 | $89.92 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $215,587 | $103.65 |
Median Salary Position
50.84% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ontario
In Ontario, CA, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $96,722 (2026 est.). At $160,488, the local median is 50.84% above the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Ontario: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Ontario Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Ontario median: $160,488/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ontario Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $176,360 | -9.00% less |
| National Average | $106,398 | +50.84% more |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Ontario, CA earn a median of $160,488 per year (2026 est.), which is 50.84% higher than the national median of $106,398 and 9.00% below the California state average of $176,360.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Ontario has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Ontario, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $160,488 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $141,899 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$117,578
2025 BLS Actual
$152,904
2026 Current Est.
$160,488
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Ontario (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $117,578 | Actual |
| 2020 | $120,052 | Actual |
| 2021 | $118,800 | Actual |
| 2022 | $128,664 | Actual |
| 2023 | $139,525 | Actual |
| 2024 | $152,818 | Actual |
| 2025 | $152,904 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $160,488 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $168,448 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ontario metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 30.0% from $117,578 (2019) to $152,904 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $168,448 by 2027 — a total increase of $50,870 (43.26%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ontario 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) | $118,865 – $132,990 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $132,990 – $160,488 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $160,488 – $187,027 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $187,027 – $215,587 |
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 Ontario
In the local job market, 42 nuclear medicine technologists are currently employed, contributing to a competitive landscape for healthcare professionals. The cost of living in Ontario, with a CoL index of 113.1, indicates that while salaries are above the national average, the purchasing power may be impacted. Employers such as outpatient PET/CT imaging centers and theranostics facilities often offer the highest pay, primarily due to the advanced skills required for practices involving agent therapies like plasitic and lutetium-177. The variation in pay can also be attributed to factors such as cross-training in CT, the credential mix of SPECT-only versus PET/CT capabilities, and the need for on-call coverage at hospitals to manage radiopharmaceuticals. For nuclear medicine technologists aiming to elevate their pay in Ontario, focusing on obtaining PET/CT credentials, gaining experience in theranostics, and expanding one's skill set through cross-training will be advantageous.
More salary data for Ontario, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nuclear medicine technologists make in Ontario, CA in 2026?
Is Ontario, CA a good place to work as a nuclear medicine technologist?
Can nuclear medicine technologists make $100K in Ontario?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted nuclear medicine technologist salary in Ontario?
How much does a nuclear medicine technologist make per hour in Ontario?
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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 $152,904 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Ontario 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 Ontario 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