Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay in Lakewood, OH: $49.91 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nuclear medicine technologist working in Lakewood, OH runs $49.91 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $103,803 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Weighted against Lakewood's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.7, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $55.03 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $62,286 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the nuclear medicine technologist hourly pay in Lakewood, Ohio, is projected to reach $49.91, which is slightly lower than the national hourly median of $51.15. This compensation reflects the value placed on skilled professionals in settings such as hospital nuclear medicine suites, outpatient PET/CT imaging centers, hot lab radiopharmacy areas, and cardiac stress test rooms. Entry-level technologists can expect to start at around $37.03, while the most experienced in the field may earn as much as $68.05 per hour. For part-time workers, a schedule of three days a week could provide a steady income while allowing for a more flexible work-life balance, making the profession appealing to those interested in pursuing a career in nuclear medicine technology without committing to a full-time schedule.
About the Lakewood Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37.03 | $296.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41.26 | $330.08 |
| Median (P50) | $49.91 | $399.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $57.08 | $456.62 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $68.05 | $544.36 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lakewood
Based on $49.91/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $49.91/hr, a nuclear medicine technologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lakewood, OH can expect to earn approximately $103,810 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $59,890. With a cost-of-living index of 90.70 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lakewood.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lakewood
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,996.34 | $8,651 | $103,810 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,197.80 | $5,190 | $62,286 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $798.54 | $3,460 | $41,524 |
Compare NMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nuclear Medicine Technologist (Lakewood) | $49.91 |
| 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 Lakewood, OH earn a median of $103,803 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.44% lower than the national median of $106,398 and 0.50% below the Ohio state average of $104,325.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $49.91/hr = $62,286/year (purchasing power: $68,672).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $103,810/year (purchasing power: $114,454).
CoL index: 90.7 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$36.56/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$47.55/hr
2026 Current Est.
$49.91/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Lakewood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36.56/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $37.33/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $36.94/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $40.01/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $43.39/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $38.18/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $47.55/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49.91/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52.38/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nuclear medicine technologists in Lakewood grew 30.0% from $36.56/hr (2019) to $47.55/hr (2025). At a 4.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $52.38/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 Lakewood 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 Lakewood
Analyzing the financial landscape for part-time nuclear medicine technologists reveals that working 24 hours a week can facilitate a comfortable living, generating an annual income significantly less than what full-time technologists might earn. Per diem workers, often in greater demand, can expect to invoice between $55 and $80 for their services, particularly in dynamic environments like outpatient oncology centers, where PET/CT modality use is prominent. Additionally, theranostics-trained technologists at specialized cancer treatment facilities can command even higher rates, reflecting the increasing focus on personalized treatments. Varying employer types—ranging from hospital settings to mobile PET imaging firms—offer different pay scales, illustrating how nuclear medicine technologist hourly rates can shift based on the institution's focus. Professionals may often face the decision of opting for higher hourly wages without benefits or lower rates with health insurance advantages. For those negotiating their pay, focusing on the unique skills in demand and the importance of certifications like NMTCB or SNMMI-TS can be pivotal in securing a favorable hourly wage in Lakewood.
More salary data for Lakewood, OH:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for nuclear medicine technologists in Lakewood in 2026?
How much do part-time nuclear medicine technologists make in Lakewood?
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How much does a full-time nuclear medicine technologist make per year in Lakewood?
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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 Lakewood. 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 Lakewood 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