Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay in Rochester, NY: $50.93 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nuclear medicine technologist working in Rochester, NY runs $50.93 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $105,936 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Weighted against Rochester's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.0, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $52.48 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $63,556 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

With a median hourly rate of $50.93, the nuclear medicine technologist hourly pay in Rochester, NY, is slightly below the national average of $51.15. This competitive wage provides a solid standard of living, particularly for those working part-time schedules, such as three days a week. In typical settings like hospital nuclear medicine suites and outpatient PET/CT imaging centers, part-time workers can balance both professional fulfillment and quality of life. Entry-level technologists may earn around $42.97 per hour, while top earners in the field can command rates up to $60.91, thus reflecting the range of skills and experiences that professionals bring to their workplaces. These figures, extracted from the 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, underscore the range of opportunities within Rochester's nuclear medicine sector.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42.97 | $343.76 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48.02 | $384.15 |
| Median (P50) | $50.93 | $407.41 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $52.51 | $420.09 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $60.91 | $487.27 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Rochester
Based on $50.93/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $50.93/hr, a nuclear medicine technologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Rochester, NY can expect to earn approximately $105,927 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $61,112. With a cost-of-living index of 97.03 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Rochester.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Rochester
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,037.06 | $8,827 | $105,927 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,222.24 | $5,296 | $63,556 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $814.83 | $3,531 | $42,371 |
Compare NMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nuclear Medicine Technologist (Rochester) | $50.93 |
| 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 Rochester, NY earn a median of $105,936 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.43% lower than the national median of $106,398 and 14.10% below the New York state average of $123,325.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $50.93/hr = $63,556/year (purchasing power: $65,498).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $105,927/year (purchasing power: $109,164).
CoL index: 97.035 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$38.20/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$48.52/hr
2026 Current Est.
$50.93/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+39.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Rochester (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38.20/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $36.58/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.82/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $40.99/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $44.41/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $48.23/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $48.52/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50.93/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53.45/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nuclear medicine technologists in Rochester grew 27.0% from $38.20/hr (2019) to $48.52/hr (2025). At a 4.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $53.45/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 Rochester 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 Rochester
Part-time nuclear medicine technologists working 24 hours per week could potentially take home around $63,000 annually, contrasting with full-time colleagues earning significantly more. Per diem roles offer even greater variability, as these nuclear medicine technologists typically earn between $55 and $80 per hour. For instance, those specializing in PET/CT imaging at outpatient oncology centers may access pay rates from $65 to $95 per hour. Hourly rates can differ considerably across employment types in Rochester, with hospitals generally providing steady employment that includes benefits, while outpatient facilities and mobile imaging companies may offer higher pay at the cost of job security and health insurance. It’s essential for nuclear medicine technologists to negotiate effectively, especially when weighing the hourly wage against the full package of benefits, including health insurance and retirement plans. Overall, understanding these dynamics can help professionals make well-informed decisions in a growth-oriented field.
More salary data for Rochester, NY:
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 Rochester. 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