Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay in Los Alamos, NM: $44.50 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nuclear medicine technologist working in Los Alamos, NM runs $44.50 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $92,574 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Weighted against Los Alamos's regional price level (BEA RPP 94.4, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $47.14 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $55,540 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, nuclear medicine technologists in Los Alamos, NM, earn a median hourly rate of $44.50, which trails behind the national median of $51.15. This difference can significantly impact part-time workers, such as those operating three days a week, especially in specialized environments like hospital nuclear medicine suites and outpatient PET/CT imaging centers. Entry-level professionals might see hourly earnings around $36.86, while experienced technologists can make up to $56.52 per hour. Such rates reflect the local demand for nuclear medicine services and the projected growth in this field, despite the lower pay compared to other states or national averages.
About the Los Alamos Market
Salary estimated from New Mexico average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36.86 | $294.90 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39.36 | $314.88 |
| Median (P50) | $44.50 | $356.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $50.67 | $405.40 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $56.52 | $452.17 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Los Alamos
Based on $44.50/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $44.50/hr, a nuclear medicine technologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Los Alamos, NM can expect to earn approximately $92,566 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $53,404. With a cost-of-living index of 94.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Los Alamos.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Los Alamos
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,780.12 | $7,714 | $92,566 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,068.07 | $4,628 | $55,540 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $712.05 | $3,086 | $37,027 |
Compare NMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nuclear Medicine Technologist (Los Alamos) | $44.50 |
| 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 Los Alamos, NM earn a median of $92,574 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.99% lower than the national median of $106,398 and 7.80% below the New Mexico state average of $100,405.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $44.50/hr = $55,540/year (purchasing power: $58,835).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $92,566/year (purchasing power: $98,058).
CoL index: 94.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$32.60/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$42.40/hr
2026 Current Est.
$44.50/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Los Alamos (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32.60/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $33.29/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $32.94/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $35.68/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $38.69/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $34.30/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $42.40/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $44.50/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $46.71/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nuclear medicine technologists in Los Alamos grew 30.0% from $32.60/hr (2019) to $42.40/hr (2025). At a 4.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $46.71/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 Los Alamos 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 Los Alamos
Part-time nuclear medicine technologists in Los Alamos, working approximately 24 hours a week, could net about $55,560 annually, a scenario that differs sharply from those committed to full-time roles. Per diem options are appealing, with billing rates often buoyed above the median; many secure up to $80 per hour, especially in outpatient oncology or theranostics settings where specialized training commands a premium. Employers in Los Alamos range from VA medical centers to mobile imaging companies, each presenting varying pay scales. The trade-off between higher hourly rates with fewer benefits versus lower rates with healthcare coverage creates diverse employment choices. To maximize earning potential, techs should consider negotiating for pay adjustments based on their specific skills and contributions, given the regional variations in nuclear medicine technology roles.
More salary data for Los Alamos, NM:
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 Los Alamos. 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 Los Alamos 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