Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay in Urbandale, IA: $42.33 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nuclear medicine technologist working in Urbandale, IA runs $42.33 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $88,050 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Weighted against Urbandale's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $46.83 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $52,828 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, nuclear medicine technologists in Urbandale, Iowa, can expect to receive a median hourly pay of $42.33, significantly lower than the national median hourly rate of $51.15. This hourly wage has various implications for those working part-time or in per-diem positions, which is common in environments like hospital nuclear medicine suites or mobile PET trailers. For instance, part-time workers, who may typically log around 24 hours per week, will find that they can earn a practical income while having flexible hours. The hourly range for technologists in Urbandale spans from $34.43 for those early in their careers (P10) to $54.24 for top earners (P90), reflecting a diverse set of opportunities across different job settings, such as cardiac stress test rooms and theranostics infusion suites.
About the Urbandale 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) | $34.43 | $275.42 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37.08 | $296.66 |
| Median (P50) | $42.33 | $338.64 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $48.30 | $386.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $54.24 | $433.95 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Urbandale
Based on $42.33/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $42.33/hr, a nuclear medicine technologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Urbandale, IA can expect to earn approximately $88,047 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $50,796. With a cost-of-living index of 90.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Urbandale.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Urbandale
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,693.21 | $7,337 | $88,047 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,015.93 | $4,402 | $52,828 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $677.29 | $2,935 | $35,219 |
Compare NMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nuclear Medicine Technologist (Urbandale) | $42.33 |
| 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 Urbandale, IA earn a median of $88,050 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.24% lower than the national median of $106,398 and 4.50% below the Iowa state average of $92,199.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $42.33/hr = $52,828/year (purchasing power: $58,438).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $88,047/year (purchasing power: $97,397).
CoL index: 90.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$31.01/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$40.33/hr
2026 Current Est.
$42.33/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Urbandale (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31.01/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $31.66/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $31.33/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $33.94/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $36.80/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $34.88/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $40.33/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42.33/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $44.43/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nuclear medicine technologists in Urbandale grew 30.0% from $31.01/hr (2019) to $40.33/hr (2025). At a 4.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $44.43/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 Urbandale 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 Urbandale
When considering part-time work, nuclear medicine technologists who work three days a week can expect to derive an annual income that reflects their hourly commitments, potentially earning around $52,000 annually compared to a full-time counterpart. For those opting for per-diem work, the reality can be financially beneficial, with rates typically ranging from $55 to $80 per hour, especially for technologists with specialized skills in PET/CT or theranostics. In Urbandale, pay can vary significantly depending on the employer, with hospitals often offering lower hourly rates that come with benefits, while outpatient imaging centers may pay more but with fewer additional perks. As technologists navigate their career paths, they must consider whether higher hourly rates without insurance are worth the trade-off against the stability that comes from a salaried position. Negotiation for hourly pay should also factor in local demand for nuclear medicine skills, especially with the ongoing growth in PET/CT and radiopharmaceutical therapies, making good communication and understanding of the local job market essential.
More salary data for Urbandale, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for nuclear medicine technologists in Urbandale in 2026?
How much do part-time nuclear medicine technologists make in Urbandale?
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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 Urbandale. 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 Urbandale 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