Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay in Searcy, AR: $42.32 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nuclear medicine technologist working in Searcy, AR runs $42.32 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $88,029 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Weighted against Searcy's regional price level (BEA RPP 86.9, 13% below national), each hour of work buys what $48.70 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $52,815 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Nuclear medicine technologists in Searcy, Arkansas, earn a median hourly rate of $42.32, which is notably below the national average of $51.15 per hour. This difference can impact those looking for part-time or per-diem work, as many professionals in this field may find themselves working in various settings such as hospital nuclear medicine suites, outpatient PET/CT imaging centers, and theranostics infusion suites. With an hourly range starting at $33.97 for entry-level positions and reaching up to $50.90 for more experienced technologists, the earning potential offers flexibility while allowing room for skill and responsibility growth. It's important to consider that these estimated hourly rates are derived from annual salary data and reflect the job's value within the local healthcare market in Searcy.
About the Searcy 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) | $33.97 | $271.72 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36.49 | $291.96 |
| Median (P50) | $42.32 | $338.56 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46.41 | $371.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $50.90 | $407.16 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Searcy
Based on $42.32/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $42.32/hr, a nuclear medicine technologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Searcy, AR can expect to earn approximately $88,025 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $50,784. With a cost-of-living index of 86.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Searcy.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Searcy
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,692.79 | $7,335 | $88,025 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,015.68 | $4,401 | $52,815 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $677.12 | $2,934 | $35,210 |
Compare NMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nuclear Medicine Technologist (Searcy) | $42.32 |
| 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 Searcy, AR earn a median of $88,029 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.26% lower than the national median of $106,398 and 4.80% below the Arkansas state average of $92,467.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $42.32/hr = $52,815/year (purchasing power: $60,777).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $88,025/year (purchasing power: $101,295).
CoL index: 86.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$31.00/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$40.32/hr
2026 Current Est.
$42.32/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Searcy (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31.00/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $31.66/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $31.33/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $33.93/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $36.79/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.43/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $40.32/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42.32/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $44.42/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nuclear medicine technologists in Searcy grew 30.0% from $31.00/hr (2019) to $40.32/hr (2025). At a 4.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $44.42/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 Searcy 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 Searcy
For part-time technologists working three days a week, the earning scenario can be quite favorable compared to full-time positions, although the exact figures vary significantly. Per-diem nuclear medicine technologists can command rates ranging from $55 to $80 per hour, with PET/CT techs at outpatient oncology centers potentially seeing $65 to $95 per hour. These pay rates provide an attractive incentive for those considering agency or locum opportunities. However, compensations can differ based on the type of employer in Searcy, such as hospitals, outpatient facilities, and specialized theranostics centers that may pay higher wages for advanced training. Some technologists negotiate lower hourly rates for benefits like health insurance, highlighting the need for practical negotiation strategies in this competitive job market. As Searcy's healthcare community continues to evolve, seeking roles in areas like mobile PET imaging may offer alternative pathways for better hourly compensation without sacrificing work-life balance.
More salary data for Searcy, 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 Searcy. 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 Searcy 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