Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay in Phoenix, AZ: $50.53 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nuclear medicine technologist working in Phoenix, AZ runs $50.53 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $105,096 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Weighted against Phoenix's regional price level (BEA RPP 103.3, 3% above national), each hour of work buys what $48.91 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $63,059 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Phoenix, Arizona, nuclear medicine technologists can expect an hourly pay of $50.53, placing them slightly below the national median of $51.15 for this profession. This competitive hourly rate is ideal for part-time workers, as those who serve three days a week can enjoy a substantial income while maintaining flexibility in their schedules. Typically employed in hospital nuclear medicine suites, outpatient PET/CT imaging centers, and other radiopharmacy and therapeutic environments, entry-level technicians may start at approximately $42.69 per hour, while the most seasoned professionals can command up to $61.99. These figures highlight the promising financial prospects within the nuclear medicine field, informed by the latest estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42.69 | $341.50 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49.07 | $392.55 |
| Median (P50) | $50.53 | $404.22 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $55.74 | $445.95 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $61.99 | $495.92 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Phoenix
Based on $50.53/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $50.53/hr, a nuclear medicine technologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Phoenix, AZ can expect to earn approximately $105,098 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $60,633. With a cost-of-living index of 103.32 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Phoenix.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Phoenix
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,021.11 | $8,758 | $105,098 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,212.67 | $5,255 | $63,059 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $808.44 | $3,503 | $42,039 |
Compare NMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nuclear Medicine Technologist (Phoenix) | $50.53 |
| 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 Phoenix, AZ earn a median of $105,096 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.22% lower than the national median of $106,398 and 0.30% above the Arizona state average of $104,782.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $50.53/hr = $63,059/year (purchasing power: $61,035).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $105,098/year (purchasing power: $101,725).
CoL index: 103.316 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$41.31/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$48.14/hr
2026 Current Est.
$50.53/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Phoenix (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41.31/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $42.26/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $39.21/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $40.86/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $46.53/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $48.40/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $48.14/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50.53/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53.03/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nuclear medicine technologists in Phoenix grew 16.5% from $41.31/hr (2019) to $48.14/hr (2025). At a 4.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $53.03/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 Phoenix 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 Phoenix
Looking into part-time earning potential, a nuclear medicine technologist working three days a week typically nets an annual income that reflects a significant advantage over their full-time counterparts in terms of work-life balance, while still earning a substantial income. For those pursuing per diem roles, rates can vary widely, with many technologists billing $55 to $80 per hour, while PET/CT specialists in outpatient oncology settings may command even higher rates of $65 to $95. This variability often hinges on the type of employer; nuclear medicine departments in hospitals, outpatient PET/CT imaging centers, and VA medical facilities each offer different compensation packages influenced by the nature of their services. It's vital for technologists to weigh the benefits of pursuing higher hourly rates without benefits versus positions that offer health insurance in exchange for lower hourly pay. When considering negotiations in the Phoenix market, being informed about these variances can empower nuclear medicine technologists to secure offers that align with their financial and personal health needs.
More salary data for Phoenix, AZ:
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 Phoenix. 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