Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay in Fort Smith, AR: $45.00 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nuclear medicine technologist working in Fort Smith, AR runs $45.00 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $93,582 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Weighted against Fort Smith's regional price level (BEA RPP 86.9, 13% below national), each hour of work buys what $51.78 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $56,155 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Fort Smith, AR, the nuclear medicine technologist hourly pay is projected to reach $45.00 in 2026. This figure falls below the national average of $51.15, presenting a unique context for both employed and per-diem workers within the healthcare system. For those working part-time, such as over a three-day week, this hourly rate translates into a steady earning potential while allowing flexibility. The hourly range varies significantly, from approximately $34.63 for entry-level positions to $60.05 for seasoned professionals, giving prospective technologists a glimpse of their potential trajectory within a variety of clinical settings. Common workplaces include hospital nuclear medicine suites, outpatient imaging centers, cardiac stress test rooms, and mobile PET trailers, each impacting overall job demand and pay structure.
About the Fort Smith Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($74,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34.63 | $277.01 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38.13 | $305.06 |
| Median (P50) | $45.00 | $359.97 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $52.40 | $419.17 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $60.05 | $480.38 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Fort Smith
Based on $45.00/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $45.00/hr, a nuclear medicine technologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Fort Smith, AR can expect to earn approximately $93,592 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $53,996. With a cost-of-living index of 86.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Fort Smith.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Fort Smith
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,799.85 | $7,799 | $93,592 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,079.91 | $4,680 | $56,155 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $719.94 | $3,120 | $37,437 |
Compare NMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nuclear Medicine Technologist (Fort Smith) | $45.00 |
| 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 Fort Smith, AR earn a median of $93,582 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.05% lower than the national median of $106,398 and 1.20% above the Arkansas state average of $92,473.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $45.00/hr = $56,155/year (purchasing power: $64,621).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $93,592/year (purchasing power: $107,701).
CoL index: 86.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$32.97/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$42.87/hr
2026 Current Est.
$45.00/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Fort Smith (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32.97/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $33.66/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $33.31/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $36.07/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $39.12/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $31.29/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $42.87/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $45.00/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47.23/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nuclear medicine technologists in Fort Smith grew 30.0% from $32.97/hr (2019) to $42.87/hr (2025). At a 4.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $47.23/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 Fort Smith 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 Fort Smith
When analyzing the earnings for part-time nuclear medicine technologists in Fort Smith, working 24 hours a week could result in a comfortable yearly income, although it would be lower than that of full-time peers. For those engaged as per-diem nuclear medicine technologists, it's not uncommon to see billing rates between $55 and $80 per hour, with specialized PET/CT technologists earning even more in outpatient oncology settings. Hospital environments may pay less than private practices, but full-time roles often come with additional benefits such as health insurance, which may be crucial for some workers. Negotiating rates can greatly affect overall compensation. For example, knowing the market rate for specialized roles, especially in theranostics, can empower technicians to advocate for better pay when entering discussions with employers in the diverse sectors of Fort Smith's healthcare economy.
More salary data for Fort Smith, AR:
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 Fort Smith. 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 Fort Smith 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