Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay in Cedar Rapids, IA: $44.05 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nuclear medicine technologist working in Cedar Rapids, IA runs $44.05 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $91,635 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Weighted against Cedar Rapids's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $48.73 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $54,977 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Cedar Rapids, IA, a nuclear medicine technologist earns a median hourly rate of $44.05, reflecting a notable difference compared to the national median hourly rate of $51.15. This difference may influence part-time professionals and those pursuing per diem positions, who typically operate in hospital nuclear medicine suites, PET/CT imaging centers, and therapeutic environments. For example, a technologist working three days a week could calculate their earnings around $44.05 per hour, amounting to nearly $3,400 monthly for 24 hours of work. Moreover, the hourly pay range for nuclear medicine technologists in the region varies substantially, starting from approximately $32.82 at entry-level positions and peaking at $59.43 for experienced professionals. These figures are derived from projected salary data and reflect the local market's demand for skilled practitioners.
About the Cedar Rapids Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($84,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32.82 | $262.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36.65 | $293.22 |
| Median (P50) | $44.05 | $352.41 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $51.49 | $411.95 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $59.43 | $475.43 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Cedar Rapids
Based on $44.05/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $44.05/hr, a nuclear medicine technologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Cedar Rapids, IA can expect to earn approximately $91,628 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $52,862. With a cost-of-living index of 90.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Cedar Rapids.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Cedar Rapids
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,762.07 | $7,636 | $91,628 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,057.24 | $4,581 | $54,977 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $704.83 | $3,054 | $36,651 |
Compare NMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nuclear Medicine Technologist (Cedar Rapids) | $44.05 |
| 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 Cedar Rapids, IA earn a median of $91,635 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.88% lower than the national median of $106,398 and 0.60% below the Iowa state average of $92,188.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $44.05/hr = $54,977/year (purchasing power: $60,815).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $91,628/year (purchasing power: $101,358).
CoL index: 90.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$32.27/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$41.97/hr
2026 Current Est.
$44.05/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Cedar Rapids (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32.27/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $32.95/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $32.61/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $35.32/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $38.30/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $36.30/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $41.97/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $44.05/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $46.24/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nuclear medicine technologists in Cedar Rapids grew 30.0% from $32.27/hr (2019) to $41.97/hr (2025). At a 4.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $46.24/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 Cedar Rapids 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 Cedar Rapids
Alongside the full-time workforce, the part-time earning potential for a nuclear medicine technologist can be quite lucrative. A technologist working three days a week would take home around $41,000 annually, significantly lower than a full-time counterpart but still competitive within the field. Per diem and contract workers in Cedar Rapids can expect an even wider pay spectrum, with rates ranging from $55 to $80 per hour for standard nuclear medicine tasks and upwards of $95 per hour for specialized PET/CT roles at outpatient oncology centers or theranostics positions. Various employer types also play a part in determining compensation levels; for instance, rates differ notably between hospital settings, outpatient imaging centers, and mobile PET services. Some nuclear medicine technologists might accept lower hourly pay in exchange for comprehensive health benefits, while others choose higher-paying per diem roles that lack such coverage. When negotiating hourly pay in Cedar Rapids, professionals are encouraged to highlight their specialized training and experience, especially in rapidly growing areas like theranostics, which are shaping the future of nuclear medicine.
More salary data for Cedar Rapids, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for nuclear medicine technologists in Cedar Rapids in 2026?
How much do part-time nuclear medicine technologists make in Cedar Rapids?
Are nuclear medicine technologists in Cedar Rapids paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time nuclear medicine technologist make per year in Cedar Rapids?
Do nuclear medicine technologists earn more per hour working part-time in Cedar Rapids?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
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 Cedar Rapids. 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 Cedar Rapids 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