Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay in Charleston, SC: $50.28 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nuclear medicine technologist working in Charleston, SC runs $50.28 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $104,561 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Weighted against Charleston's regional price level (BEA RPP 101.0, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $49.80 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $62,744 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Charleston, South Carolina, the projected nuclear medicine technologist hourly pay for 2026 stands at $50.28, slightly lower than the national median hourly rate of $51.15. This figure is indicative of the pay structure within various work environments, such as hospital nuclear medicine suites, outpatient PET/CT imaging centers, and cardiac stress test rooms. Workers in this profession can expect to see an hourly range from $40.32 for entry-level positions up to $60.44 for the highest earners. For part-time professionals working three days a week, or per-diem staff, the opportunities to gain a competitive hourly wage in Charleston's nuclear medicine landscape are promising, particularly when considering the specialized nature of the work within mobile PET trailers and theranostics infusion suites.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40.32 | $322.52 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48.89 | $391.12 |
| Median (P50) | $50.28 | $402.21 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $50.28 | $402.21 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $60.44 | $483.49 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Charleston
Based on $50.28/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $50.28/hr, a nuclear medicine technologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Charleston, SC can expect to earn approximately $104,574 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $60,331. With a cost-of-living index of 100.96 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Charleston.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Charleston
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,011.03 | $8,714 | $104,574 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,206.62 | $5,229 | $62,744 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $804.41 | $3,486 | $41,829 |
Compare NMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nuclear Medicine Technologist (Charleston) | $50.28 |
| 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 Charleston, SC earn a median of $104,561 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.73% lower than the national median of $106,398 and 7.40% above the South Carolina state average of $97,357.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $50.28/hr = $62,744/year (purchasing power: $62,146).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $104,574/year (purchasing power: $103,577).
CoL index: 100.962 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$35.81/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$47.90/hr
2026 Current Est.
$50.28/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+47.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Charleston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35.81/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $36.26/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $36.06/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $40.31/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $45.53/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $46.30/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $47.90/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50.28/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52.77/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nuclear medicine technologists in Charleston grew 33.8% from $35.81/hr (2019) to $47.90/hr (2025). At a 4.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $52.77/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 Charleston 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 Charleston
Looking deeper into the earnings for nuclear medicine technologists, those opting for a part-time schedule—say, 24 hours a week—could take home around $62,677 annually, depending on their specific hourly rate. The flexibility of per-diem positions can yield rates between $55 and $80 an hour, with highly specialized PET/CT technologists potentially earning between $65 and $95 per hour at outpatient oncology centers. However, a pronounced variation exists based on the type of employer; for example, while hospitals may offer lower base rates, they often provide comprehensive benefits, whereas outpatient practices and locum positions may offer higher hourly pay without benefits. As competition for skilled technologists increases with the expansion of PET/CT and theranostic services, negotiation becomes critical. Charleston’s techs might consider emphasizing their credentials from accredited bodies like SNMMI-TS and NMTCB to secure better offers in this thriving market.
More salary data for Charleston, SC:
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 Charleston. 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, 6-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