Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay in Lexington, KY: $45.91 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nuclear medicine technologist working in Lexington, KY runs $45.91 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $95,503 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Weighted against Lexington's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.9, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $49.42 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $57,295 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, a nuclear medicine technologist in Lexington, KY, can anticipate an hourly pay of $45.91, which falls short of the national hourly median of $51.15. This hourly rate is significant for professionals considering part-time roles, as those working three days a week typically earn around $1,101.84 weekly for 24 hours, equating to over $57,000 annually if sustained throughout the year. Per-diem nuclear medicine technologists often find themselves in versatile settings such as hospital nuclear medicine suites, PET/CT imaging centers, and theranostics infusion suites, and their compensation can vary widely. For entry-level technicians, the starting hourly rate might hover around $38.48, while those at the top of the scale can earn as much as $58.58. This data comes from the official BLS estimates based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38.48 | $307.83 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42.16 | $337.30 |
| Median (P50) | $45.91 | $367.28 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49.74 | $397.92 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $58.58 | $468.63 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lexington
Based on $45.91/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $45.91/hr, a nuclear medicine technologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lexington, KY can expect to earn approximately $95,492 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $55,091. With a cost-of-living index of 92.89 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lexington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lexington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,836.38 | $7,958 | $95,492 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,101.83 | $4,775 | $57,295 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $734.55 | $3,183 | $38,197 |
Compare NMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nuclear Medicine Technologist (Lexington) | $45.91 |
| 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 Lexington, KY earn a median of $95,503 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.24% lower than the national median of $106,398 and 0.50% above the Kentucky state average of $95,028.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $45.91/hr = $57,295/year (purchasing power: $61,681).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $95,492/year (purchasing power: $102,802).
CoL index: 92.889 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$33.67/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$43.74/hr
2026 Current Est.
$45.91/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+43.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Lexington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33.67/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $34.34/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $33.98/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $36.81/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $39.91/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $36.06/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $43.74/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $45.91/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $48.19/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nuclear medicine technologists in Lexington grew 29.9% from $33.67/hr (2019) to $43.74/hr (2025). At a 4.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $48.19/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 Lexington 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 Lexington
Looking deeper into the earnings for part-time nuclear medicine technologists, those working only three days a week have the potential to take home around $57,500 annually, which is a competitive figure, especially for those pursuing flexible work schedules. Among per-diem or agency nuclear medicine technologists, pay can range from $55 to $80 per hour, making these positions highly lucrative, especially for those with PET/CT specialization, as outpatient oncology centers report earnings between $65 and $95 per hour. In Lexington, hourly rates differ based on employer type, with VA medical centers and theranostics facilities providing higher compensation due to the technical expertise required. While some may opt for slightly lower pay in exchange for employee benefits like health insurance, others prefer the flexibility and higher rates associated with contract or temporary work. Those negotiating pay should emphasize their credentials, such as NMTCB or ARRT(N) certifications, and the growing demand for expertise in PET/CT and theranostics, which could lead to more favorable compensation packages in this increasingly competitive field.
More salary data for Lexington, KY:
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 Lexington. 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, 3-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