Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay in Kennewick, WA: $54.51 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nuclear medicine technologist working in Kennewick, WA runs $54.51 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $113,368 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Weighted against Kennewick's regional price level (BEA RPP 107.4, 7% above national), each hour of work buys what $50.75 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $68,023 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Kennewick, the nuclear medicine technologist hourly pay stands at a competitive $54.51, surpassing the national median of $51.15. This advantageous rate not only appeals to full-time professionals but also makes a significant difference for those working part-time, such as individuals logging around three days a week. For employers across various settings, including hospital nuclear medicine suites and outpatient PET/CT imaging centers, this hourly compensation range offers flexibility. Entry-level technologists may start at $40.19 per hour, while experienced professionals at the top of their careers can earn up to $74.01 per hour. These hourly estimates derive from the projected annual salary data for 2026, indicating the financial viability of career paths in nuclear medicine and the advantages of serving in specialized areas like theranostics.
About the Kennewick Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($122,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40.19 | $321.51 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48.15 | $385.16 |
| Median (P50) | $54.51 | $436.05 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $62.15 | $497.17 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $74.01 | $592.06 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Kennewick
Based on $54.51/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $54.51/hr, a nuclear medicine technologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Kennewick, WA can expect to earn approximately $113,372 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $65,407. With a cost-of-living index of 107.40 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Kennewick.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Kennewick
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,180.23 | $9,448 | $113,372 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,308.14 | $5,669 | $68,023 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $872.09 | $3,779 | $45,349 |
Compare NMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nuclear Medicine Technologist (Kennewick) | $54.51 |
| 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 Kennewick, WA earn a median of $113,368 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.55% higher than the national median of $106,398 and 0.80% below the Washington state average of $114,283.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $54.51/hr = $68,023/year (purchasing power: $63,336).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $113,372/year (purchasing power: $105,560).
CoL index: 107.4 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$39.93/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$51.93/hr
2026 Current Est.
$54.51/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Kennewick (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39.93/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $40.77/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $40.35/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $43.70/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $47.39/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $62.50/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $51.93/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $54.51/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57.21/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nuclear medicine technologists in Kennewick grew 30.0% from $39.93/hr (2019) to $51.93/hr (2025). At a 4.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $57.21/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 Kennewick 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 Kennewick
Part-time nuclear medicine technologists in Kennewick, working a 24-hour week, can expect to take home roughly $66,213 annually, highlighting how part-time work might suit individuals seeking flexibility while maintaining reasonable earnings. For those interested in per-diem opportunities, rates typically range from $55 to $80 per hour for general roles; however, specialized positions, such as PET/CT technicians in outpatient oncology centers, can command even higher rates of $65 to $95 per hour, particularly in theranostics settings where skills in therapies like lutetium-177 are in demand. Hourly rates may vary greatly depending on the employer type, with hospitals, outpatient imaging centers, and VA medical facilities providing different compensation structures. While some techs may choose positions with better health insurance benefits that offer lower hourly rates, others might opt for higher pay without benefits to maximize earnings. For those looking for negotiation strategies, emphasizing experience with emerging technologies in the nuclear medicine field can often yield better pay in Kennewick's evolving healthcare market.
More salary data for Kennewick, WA:
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 Kennewick. 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 Kennewick 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