Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay in Surprise, AZ: $50.28 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nuclear medicine technologist working in Surprise, AZ runs $50.28 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $104,575 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Weighted against Surprise's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.5, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $51.04 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $62,744 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Surprise, Arizona, nuclear medicine technologists earn a median hourly rate of $50.28, just slightly below the national median of $51.15. This competitive pay structure allows those in the field to thrive, whether they pursue full-time roles or opt for part-time or per-diem positions. For instance, a technologist working three days a week can still earn a respectable income, significantly benefiting from the flexibility offered in various healthcare settings such as hospital nuclear medicine departments, outpatient imaging centers, and mobile PET trailers. The hourly rate ranges from $39.17 for entry-level positions to about $68.18 for seasoned professionals, giving a clear trajectory for growth within the field.
About the Surprise Market
Salary estimated from Arizona average ($96,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39.17 | $313.37 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43.13 | $345.02 |
| Median (P50) | $50.28 | $402.21 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $58.97 | $471.73 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $68.18 | $545.46 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Surprise
Based on $50.28/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $50.28/hr, a nuclear medicine technologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Surprise, AZ can expect to earn approximately $104,574 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $60,331. With a cost-of-living index of 98.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Surprise.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Surprise
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,011.03 | $8,714 | $104,574 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,206.62 | $5,229 | $62,744 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $804.41 | $3,486 | $41,829 |
Compare NMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nuclear Medicine Technologist (Surprise) | $50.28 |
| Radiologic Technologist (National Avg) | $35.27 |
| MRI Technologist (National Avg) | $40.93 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (National Avg) | $42.41 |
| Radiation Therapist (National Avg) | $48.35 |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Surprise, AZ earn a median of $104,575 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.71% lower than the national median of $106,398 and 0.20% below the Arizona state average of $104,784.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $50.28/hr = $62,744/year (purchasing power: $63,700).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $104,574/year (purchasing power: $106,166).
CoL index: 98.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$36.83/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$47.90/hr
2026 Current Est.
$50.28/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Surprise (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36.83/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $37.61/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.22/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $40.31/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $43.71/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $45.36/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $47.90/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50.28/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52.77/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nuclear medicine technologists in Surprise grew 30.0% from $36.83/hr (2019) to $47.90/hr (2025). At a 4.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $52.77/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem nuclear medicine technologists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Surprise 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.
Working as an Hourly Nuclear Medicine Technologist in Surprise
The financial prospects for part-time nuclear medicine technologists can be quite appealing. Working only three days a week, an individual could take home approximately $62,621 annually, a substantial figure that perfectly complements the part-time lifestyle. Conversely, those engaging in per-diem work can expect to bill anywhere from $55 to $80 an hour, depending on the setting; PET/CT specialists in outpatient oncology typically attain $65 to $95 per hour, while theranostics-trained technologists at advanced cancer facilities can command even higher rates. These discrepancies in pay reflect differences in employer types like hospital departments versus outpatient clinics or specialized centers, where some professionals may choose lower hourly rates for enhanced benefits like health insurance. For nuclear medicine technologists in Surprise, effective negotiation strategies can position them favorably, especially given the premium placed on skills in growing areas like PET/CT and theranostics.
More salary data for Surprise, AZ:
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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 4.96% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for nuclear medicine technologists in Surprise. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Surprise 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