Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay in Benton, AR: $43.55 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nuclear medicine technologist working in Benton, AR runs $43.55 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $90,579 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Weighted against Benton's regional price level (BEA RPP 86.9, 13% below national), each hour of work buys what $50.11 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $54,348 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Nuclear medicine technologists in Benton, Arkansas, earn a median hourly rate of $43.55, which falls below the national median of $51.15 per hour. This hourly wage is quite relevant for part-time professionals who may work three days a week, as it allows for a comfortable yet moderate income in the healthcare setting. Per-diem workers operating in environments such as hospital nuclear medicine suites, outpatient PET/CT imaging centers, and cardiac stress test rooms often find themselves earning between $33.48 and $55.33 per hour depending on experience and specialty. This range highlights the considerable earning potential for top-tier nuclear medicine technologists in Benton, especially for those involved in cutting-edge practices like theranostics or advanced imaging assessments.
About the Benton Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($74,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33.48 | $267.86 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36.82 | $294.56 |
| Median (P50) | $43.55 | $348.38 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49.31 | $394.48 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $55.33 | $442.68 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Benton
Based on $43.55/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $43.55/hr, a nuclear medicine technologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Benton, AR can expect to earn approximately $90,580 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $52,257. With a cost-of-living index of 86.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Benton.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Benton
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,741.92 | $7,548 | $90,580 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,045.15 | $4,529 | $54,348 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $696.77 | $3,019 | $36,232 |
Compare NMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nuclear Medicine Technologist (Benton) | $43.55 |
| 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 Benton, AR earn a median of $90,579 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.87% lower than the national median of $106,398 and 2.00% below the Arkansas state average of $92,428.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $43.55/hr = $54,348/year (purchasing power: $62,541).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $90,580/year (purchasing power: $104,234).
CoL index: 86.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$31.90/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$41.49/hr
2026 Current Est.
$43.55/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Benton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31.90/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $32.58/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $32.24/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $34.91/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $37.86/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.29/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $41.49/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $43.55/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $45.71/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nuclear medicine technologists in Benton grew 30.0% from $31.90/hr (2019) to $41.49/hr (2025). At a 4.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $45.71/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 Benton 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 Benton
For nuclear medicine technologists considering part-time positions in Benton, working 24 hours a week can yield significant differences in annual earnings compared to full-time employees. While a full-time technologist may secure a robust salary, those commuting just three days weekly could still enjoy a substantial income without the demands of a full-time schedule. Moreover, per diem nuclear medicine technologists often command better rates, billing between $55 to $80 per hour, especially in settings like outpatient oncology centers or specialized theranostics facilities. The variety of employer types, from VA medical centers to private outpatient practices, leads to discrepancies in hourly pay across the local job market. Some technologists may opt for higher hourly rates when working per diem but may sacrifice benefits like health insurance, which full-time employment often provides. An essential step for techs in Benton is effectively negotiating hourly rates, considering the city’s cost of living index, which is below the national average, thus affecting overall compensation and job value.
More salary data for Benton, AR:
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 Benton. 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 Benton 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