Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay in Nashville, TN: $47.68 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nuclear medicine technologist working in Nashville, TN runs $47.68 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $99,187 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Weighted against Nashville's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.3, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $49.50 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $59,509 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Nuclear medicine technologists in Nashville, TN, earn a median hourly rate of $47.68, which is notably lower than the national median of $51.15. This means that those working part-time, perhaps three days a week, could expect to take home a competitive income while maintaining a flexible schedule. In practice, this could be appealing for technologists who enjoy the variety of per-diem roles within various settings such as hospital nuclear medicine suites, PET/CT imaging centers, cardiac stress test rooms, and theranostics infusion suites. Nashville's hourly wage range extends from $39.46 for entry-level positions to $64.64 for top earners, reflecting the diverse experience levels within the field. This data is derived from the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates, highlighting the earning potential in the local market.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39.46 | $315.72 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41.43 | $331.42 |
| Median (P50) | $47.68 | $381.47 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $51.29 | $410.35 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $64.64 | $517.16 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Nashville
Based on $47.68/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $47.68/hr, a nuclear medicine technologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Nashville, TN can expect to earn approximately $99,181 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $57,220. With a cost-of-living index of 96.34 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Nashville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Nashville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,907.33 | $8,265 | $99,181 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,144.40 | $4,959 | $59,509 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $762.93 | $3,306 | $39,673 |
Compare NMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nuclear Medicine Technologist (Nashville) | $47.68 |
| 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 Nashville, TN earn a median of $99,187 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.78% lower than the national median of $106,398 and 1.50% above the Tennessee state average of $97,721.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $47.68/hr = $59,509/year (purchasing power: $61,771).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $99,181/year (purchasing power: $102,951).
CoL index: 96.338 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$35.26/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$45.43/hr
2026 Current Est.
$47.68/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+41.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Nashville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35.26/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $36.12/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $38.14/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $37.46/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $39.11/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $39.98/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $45.43/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47.68/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50.05/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nuclear medicine technologists in Nashville grew 28.8% from $35.26/hr (2019) to $45.43/hr (2025). At a 4.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $50.05/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 Nashville 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 Nashville
Looking more closely at the financial landscape, part-time nuclear medicine technologists working a 24-hour week might take home around $59,000 annually, which can be a sufficient income for many, though it often falls short compared to full-time earnings. Per-diem nuclear medicine technologists in Nashville generally command rates ranging from $55 to $80 per hour, depending heavily on their setting and specialties. For example, those specializing in outpatient oncology and PET/CT might see rates soar to $65-$95 per hour, while theranostics-trained technicians at major medical centers can command even higher premiums. The hourly rates often vary significantly across employer types, from hospitals to mobile imaging companies, reflecting both the demand and the operational complexities involved. Technologists sometimes trade lower hourly pay for the inclusion of health benefits, making it essential to weigh the total compensation package. Negotiation tips for those in Nashville include understanding local salary trends, the importance of credentials like NMTCB or ARRT(N), and being prepared to discuss the value brought to different types of institutions, especially as the focus on PET/CT and theranostics grows.
More salary data for Nashville, 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 Nashville. 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