Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Pasadena, CA: $177,643 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Pasadena, CA earns a median $177,643/year (≈ $85.41/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Pasadena's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $157,067 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Pasadena, California, nuclear medicine technologists command a median annual salary of $177,643, significantly outpacing the national median of $106,398 by nearly 67%. The local salary range is projected from $136,029 at the lower end, rising to a remarkable $243,966 for those who excel in their specialty, particularly in theranostics-related roles. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price parities, reflect the area’s competitive healthcare market, especially beneficial for technologists qualified in both PET/CT and SPECT imaging. Employers in Pasadena such as hospitals and advanced imaging centers are keenly looking to fill these positions, indicating strong demand for qualified personnel.
About the Pasadena Market
Salary estimated from California average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $136,029 | $65.40 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $150,582 | $72.39 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $177,643 | $85.41 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $210,739 | $101.32 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $243,966 | $117.29 |
Median Salary Position
66.96% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pasadena
In Pasadena, CA, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $107,937 (2026 est.). At $177,643, the local median is 66.96% above the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Pasadena: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Pasadena Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Pasadena median: $177,643/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Pasadena Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $176,233 | +0.80% more |
| National Average | $106,398 | +66.96% more |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Pasadena, CA earn a median of $177,643 per year (2026 est.), which is 66.96% higher than the national median of $106,398 and 0.80% above the California state average of $176,233.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Pasadena has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Pasadena, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $177,643 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $157,067 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$130,146
2025 BLS Actual
$169,248
2026 Current Est.
$177,643
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Pasadena (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $130,146 | Actual |
| 2020 | $132,884 | Actual |
| 2021 | $131,498 | Actual |
| 2022 | $142,417 | Actual |
| 2023 | $154,439 | Actual |
| 2024 | $150,441 | Actual |
| 2025 | $169,248 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $177,643 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $186,454 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pasadena metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 30.0% from $130,146 (2019) to $169,248 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $186,454 by 2027 — a total increase of $56,308 (43.27%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pasadena 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) | $136,029 – $150,582 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $150,582 – $177,643 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $177,643 – $210,739 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $210,739 – $243,966 |
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 Pasadena
With a workforce of 35 nuclear medicine technologists in Pasadena, the job market remains focused yet well-resourced. The cost of living index in the area sits at 113.1, suggesting that while salaries are higher, they are offset by elevated living expenses, potentially impacting take-home pay. Notably, employment opportunities in outpatient PET/CT imaging centers and theranostics facilities generally offer the highest compensation, driven by the complexity of the services rendered. The disparity in pay often hinges on various factors, such as specialization in theranostics, cross-training in CT, and the nature of on-call responsibilities. To maximize earnings in this market, technologists should consider expanding their credentials beyond the basic state requirements, seeking additional certifications that align with the latest advancements in radiopharmaceutical therapies, and actively pursuing positions that integrate advanced imaging techniques.
More salary data for Pasadena, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nuclear medicine technologists make in Pasadena, CA in 2026?
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Can nuclear medicine technologists make $100K in Pasadena?
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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 $169,248 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Pasadena 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 Pasadena 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