Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay in Chattanooga, TN: $41.76 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nuclear medicine technologist working in Chattanooga, TN runs $41.76 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $86,875 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Weighted against Chattanooga's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.5, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $45.66 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $52,121 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Chattanooga, the nuclear medicine technologist hourly pay is projected to be $41.76 in 2026, considerably lower than the national hourly median of $51.15. This discrepancy highlights the local market context, especially for those considering part-time roles or per-diem shifts in settings such as hospital nuclear medicine suites, PET/CT imaging centers, and mobile PET trailers. The hourly earnings for nuclear medicine technologists in the city range from $34.59 at the lower end to $50.42 for the most experienced professionals. With higher demand for PET/CT specialists and theranostics, many technologists are encouraged to specialize as these areas tend to offer more competitive compensation. Official BLS data, projected from 2025, informs these figures and reflects the current market trends for professionals in this essential medical field.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34.59 | $276.76 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38.70 | $309.59 |
| Median (P50) | $41.76 | $334.11 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $48.28 | $386.25 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $50.42 | $403.38 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Chattanooga
Based on $41.76/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $41.76/hr, a nuclear medicine technologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Chattanooga, TN can expect to earn approximately $86,868 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $50,116. With a cost-of-living index of 91.46 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Chattanooga.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Chattanooga
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,670.54 | $7,239 | $86,868 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,002.33 | $4,343 | $52,121 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $668.22 | $2,896 | $34,747 |
Compare NMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nuclear Medicine Technologist (Chattanooga) | $41.76 |
| 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 Chattanooga, TN earn a median of $86,875 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.35% lower than the national median of $106,398 and 11.10% below the Tennessee state average of $97,723.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $41.76/hr = $52,121/year (purchasing power: $56,985).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $86,868/year (purchasing power: $94,975).
CoL index: 91.464 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$32.64/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$39.79/hr
2026 Current Est.
$41.76/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+34.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Chattanooga (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32.64/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $31.56/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $30.92/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $33.48/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $35.72/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $37.84/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $39.79/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41.76/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43.84/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nuclear medicine technologists in Chattanooga grew 21.9% from $32.64/hr (2019) to $39.79/hr (2025). At a 4.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $43.84/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 Chattanooga 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 Chattanooga
Part-time nuclear medicine technologists working three days a week could expect to earn around $51,000 annually at an average of $41.76 per hour, which is a solid income but still trails full-time counterparts. On the per-diem side, many nuclear medicine techs bill anywhere from $55 to $80 per hour, particularly in high-demand areas such as PET/CT and theranostics. Employers such as outpatient oncology centers and specialized cardiac practices typically offer varying hourly rates. The balance of hourly pay against benefits is a crucial consideration; some professionals accept lower hourly rates for the security of health insurance, while others opt for higher pay without benefits for flexibility or agency work. For those seeking positions in Chattanooga, negotiating skills can play an important role, especially in competitive niches like thermotherapeutics and advanced imaging, where specialized training may command a premium.
More salary data for Chattanooga, TN:
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 Chattanooga. 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, 5-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