Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay in Tucson, AZ: $49.99 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nuclear medicine technologist working in Tucson, AZ runs $49.99 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $103,994 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Weighted against Tucson's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.9, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $51.59 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $62,391 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Tucson, Arizona, nuclear medicine technologists can expect an hourly median pay of $49.99, which is slightly below the national hourly median of $51.15. This competitive wage makes the profession appealing, especially for those seeking part-time positions or per-diem roles in various settings such as hospital nuclear medicine suites, outpatient PET/CT imaging centers, or mobile PET trailers. Entry-level technologists earn around $29.77 per hour, while highly experienced professionals can command up to $62.70, demonstrating a dynamic compensation landscape that reflects experience and specialization. The data is drawn from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS projections for 2026, providing a snapshot of what aspiring nuclear medicine technologists can anticipate in terms of hourly earnings.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $29.77 | $238.13 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45.16 | $361.31 |
| Median (P50) | $49.99 | $399.94 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $54.09 | $432.69 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $62.70 | $501.62 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Tucson
Based on $49.99/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $49.99/hr, a nuclear medicine technologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Tucson, AZ can expect to earn approximately $103,984 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $59,991. With a cost-of-living index of 96.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Tucson.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Tucson
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,999.70 | $8,665 | $103,984 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,199.82 | $5,199 | $62,391 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $799.88 | $3,466 | $41,594 |
Compare NMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nuclear Medicine Technologist (Tucson) | $49.99 |
| 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 Tucson, AZ earn a median of $103,994 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.26% lower than the national median of $106,398 and 0.80% below the Arizona state average of $104,833.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $49.99/hr = $62,391/year (purchasing power: $64,389).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $103,984/year (purchasing power: $107,315).
CoL index: 96.896 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$36.63/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$47.63/hr
2026 Current Est.
$49.99/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Tucson (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36.63/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $37.40/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.04/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $37.97/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $43.46/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $46.35/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $47.63/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49.99/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52.47/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nuclear medicine technologists in Tucson grew 30.0% from $36.63/hr (2019) to $47.63/hr (2025). At a 4.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $52.47/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 Tucson 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 Tucson
Evaluating the earnings potential for nuclear medicine technologists working three days a week illustrates the financial benefits of this career path. A part-time worker logging 24 hours could take home a significantly different annual figure compared to their full-time counterparts. For per-diem nuclear medicine technologists, the pay often ranges from $55 to $80 per hour in Tucson, with PET/CT technologists in oncology settings earning $65 to $95 hourly. Facilities such as VA medical centers or cardiology practices may offer varied rates, with theranostics-trained techs often fetching a premium for their specialized skills. While some technologists may opt for positions that provide regular health insurance at a slightly lower hourly rate, others may prefer higher-paying roles without benefits. In negotiations, it’s crucial for hourly workers to assess the full compensation package, especially in a city like Tucson where the cost of living index stands below the national average.
More salary data for Tucson, 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 Tucson. 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, 4-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