Nuclear Medicine Technologist salary in California
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in California earn a median of $162,380 a year ($78.07 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,500 workers.
Pay ranges from $122,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $200,990 for the top 10%. That is 60% higher than the national median of $101,370. California ranks 1st of 49 states for nuclear medicine technologists pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.08 nuclear medicine technologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.75). The average (mean) salary is $160,110, close to the median.
Pay range for nuclear medicine technologists in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $122,760 | $59.02 |
| 25th percentile | $136,820 | $65.78 |
| Median | $162,380 | $78.07 |
| 75th percentile | $178,190 | $85.67 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $200,990 | $96.63 |
| Average (mean) | $160,110 | $76.98 |
Half of nuclear medicine technologists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $13,531.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,765.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,245.38 |
| Weekly | $3,122.69 |
| Hourly | $78.07 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $198,950 | 100 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $189,790 | 170 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $173,260 | 130 |
| Modesto, CA | $172,530 | 30 |
| Fresno, CA | $163,380 | 50 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $162,380 | 110 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $156,410 | 460 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $150,870 | 160 |
Highest-paying states for nuclear medicine technologists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $162,380 |
| Washington | $126,200 |
| Hawaii | $125,650 |
| New Jersey | $124,280 |
| Oregon | $122,100 |
| New York | $118,650 |
| Massachusetts | $118,250 |
| Connecticut | $117,150 |
| Colorado | $116,990 |
| District of Columbia | $116,630 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $79,750 | $38.34 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $55,110 | $26.50 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $76,010 | $36.54 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $60,390 | $29.03 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $46,380 | $22.30 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $121,260 | $58.30 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $61,810 | $29.71 |
| Psychiatric Technician | $49,140 | $23.62 |
| Surgical Technologist | $81,310 | $39.09 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $60,630 | $29.15 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $128,530 | $61.79 |
| Opticians, Dispensing | $57,990 | $27.88 |
| Dietetic Technician | $46,410 | $22.31 |
| Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians | $78,170 | $37.58 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-2033. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a nuclear medicine technologist make in California?
The median salary for nuclear medicine technologists in California is $162,380 a year, or $78.07 an hour. Pay ranges from $122,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $200,990 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid nuclear medicine technologists make in California?
The top 10% of nuclear medicine technologists in California earn at least $200,990 a year. The top 25% earn $178,190 or more.
What is the starting pay for nuclear medicine technologists in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $122,760 a year, and a quarter of nuclear medicine technologists earn $136,820 or less.
How many nuclear medicine technologists work in California?
About 1,500 nuclear medicine technologists are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.