Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in San Bernardino, CA: $158,549 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in San Bernardino, CA earns a median $158,549/year (≈ $76.22/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in San Bernardino's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $140,185 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 10.1% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Nuclear medicine technologists in San Bernardino, CA, can expect to see a competitive median annual salary of $158,549 by 2026, significantly above the national median of $106,398. The salary range for professionals in this field varies considerably, with the lowest earners making approximately $111,117 and the highest taking home around $225,320. This wide spread largely stems from the credential mix in the region, particularly the difference in pay between those specializing in PET/CT versus SPECT-only credentials. Local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data account for regional cost adjustments, contextualizing these figures within the San Bernardino job market, which is robust but also reflective of varying employer needs and patient demographics.
About the San Bernardino Market
Salary estimated from California average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $111,117 | $53.42 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $136,504 | $65.63 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $158,549 | $76.22 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $185,329 | $89.10 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $225,320 | $108.33 |
Median Salary Position
49.02% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Bernardino
In San Bernardino, CA, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $114,203 (2026 est.). At $158,549, the local median is 49.02% above the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in San Bernardino: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How San Bernardino Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
San Bernardino median: $158,549/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | San Bernardino Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $176,362 | -10.10% less |
| National Average | $106,398 | +49.02% more |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in San Bernardino, CA earn a median of $158,549 per year (2026 est.), which is 49.02% higher than the national median of $106,398 and 10.10% below the California state average of $176,362.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
San Bernardino has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
San Bernardino, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $158,549 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $140,185 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$116,158
2025 BLS Actual
$151,057
2026 Current Est.
$158,549
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in San Bernardino (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $116,158 | Actual |
| 2020 | $118,601 | Actual |
| 2021 | $117,365 | Actual |
| 2022 | $127,110 | Actual |
| 2023 | $137,839 | Actual |
| 2024 | $153,961 | Actual |
| 2025 | $151,057 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $158,549 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $166,413 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Bernardino metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 30.0% from $116,158 (2019) to $151,057 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $166,413 by 2027 — a total increase of $50,255 (43.26%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Bernardino 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) | $111,117 – $136,504 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $136,504 – $158,549 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $158,549 – $185,329 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $185,329 – $225,320 |
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 San Bernardino
In San Bernardino, around 33 nuclear medicine technologists are employed, and the local cost of living index stands at 113.1, indicating a higher-than-average expense for housing, utilities, and other essentials. This reality affects the purchasing power of take-home salaries, making the higher-end salaries particularly enticing for those seeking a sustainable work-life balance. Among employers, hospitals with nuclear medicine departments and outpatient PET/CT imaging centers typically offer the best compensation. The pay spectrum is influenced by multiple factors, including the level of experience in theranostics, on-call responsibilities for radiopharmaceutical timing, and additional certification in CT cross-training. For those looking to maximize their salary, focusing on the PET/CT specialty and gaining experience in advanced therapies, such as those offered by theranostics centers, could lead to optimal position opportunities and increase earning potential.
More salary data for San Bernardino, 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 $151,057 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the San Bernardino 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 San Bernardino 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