Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay in Lakeland, FL: $50.50 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nuclear medicine technologist working in Lakeland, FL runs $50.50 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $105,023 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Weighted against Lakeland's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $51.98 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $63,019 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Lakeland, Florida, the nuclear medicine technologist hourly pay stands at a median of $50.50, slightly below the national median of $51.15. This rate provides substantial earning potential, especially for those working part-time or in per-diem roles. For instance, a nuclear medicine technologist working three days a week would still leverage this hourly pay rate effectively, translating to meaningful earnings while allowing for a flexible schedule. The hourly range in Lakeland begins at $41.46 for entry-level positions and can go up to $54.80 for the most experienced technologists, reflecting the varied environments in which they operate. The official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data for 2026 indicates a robust demand for professionals in settings such as hospital nuclear medicine suites, outpatient PET/CT imaging centers, and mobile PET trailers.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41.46 | $331.67 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43.45 | $347.63 |
| Median (P50) | $50.50 | $403.97 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $54.42 | $435.37 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $54.80 | $438.40 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lakeland
Based on $50.50/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $50.50/hr, a nuclear medicine technologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lakeland, FL can expect to earn approximately $105,032 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $60,596. With a cost-of-living index of 97.14 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lakeland.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lakeland
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,019.85 | $8,753 | $105,032 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,211.91 | $5,252 | $63,019 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $807.94 | $3,501 | $42,013 |
Compare NMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nuclear Medicine Technologist (Lakeland) | $50.50 |
| 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 Lakeland, FL earn a median of $105,023 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.29% lower than the national median of $106,398 and 2.70% above the Florida state average of $102,262.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $50.50/hr = $63,019/year (purchasing power: $64,874).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $105,032/year (purchasing power: $108,123).
CoL index: 97.141 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$36.71/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$48.11/hr
2026 Current Est.
$50.50/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+44.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Lakeland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36.71/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $37.62/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.32/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $39.85/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $42.09/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $45.97/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $48.11/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50.50/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53.00/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nuclear medicine technologists in Lakeland grew 31.1% from $36.71/hr (2019) to $48.11/hr (2025). At a 4.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $53.00/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 Lakeland 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 Lakeland
Part-time nuclear medicine technologists in Lakeland working an average of 24 hours weekly can expect to earn approximately $62,520 annually, a figure that affords a solid living while allowing for other pursuits. Those in per diem roles might find even more lucrative opportunities, billing between $55 and $80 per hour, especially in highly specialized areas like PET/CT at oncology centers and theranostics practices offering therapies such as Lutathera. The hourly rates can vary significantly by employer type; for example, hospital departments might offer more stability and benefits, while outpatient facilities may provide higher hourly pay at the cost of those benefits. Finding the right balance between hourly pay and health insurance coverage is crucial for many technologists. When negotiating pay, it's wise for workers in Lakeland to emphasize their certifications from entities like SNMMI-TS or NMTCB, which could help command a premium in this competitive field.
More salary data for Lakeland, FL:
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 Lakeland. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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