Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay in Waukee, IA: $42.39 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nuclear medicine technologist working in Waukee, IA runs $42.39 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $88,167 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Weighted against Waukee's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $46.90 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $52,907 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Nuclear medicine technologists in Waukee, Iowa, earn a median hourly rate of $42.39, which falls below the national median of $51.15. This hourly pay reflects various working conditions and opportunities available in the field, accommodating part-time professionals, often employed three days a week, as well as per-diem workers who require flexibility. With entry-level positions starting around $34.20 and experienced technologists potentially earning as much as $51.37, the range offers a clear indication of the skill levels and specialties that can impact compensation. Facilities such as hospital nuclear medicine suites, PET/CT imaging centers, and cardiac stress test rooms offer diverse environments where technologists can hone their skills while managing their work hours for optimal pay.
About the Waukee 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) | $34.20 | $273.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36.82 | $294.56 |
| Median (P50) | $42.39 | $339.15 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46.74 | $373.91 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $51.37 | $410.94 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Waukee
Based on $42.39/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $42.39/hr, a nuclear medicine technologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Waukee, IA can expect to earn approximately $88,178 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $50,872. With a cost-of-living index of 90.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Waukee.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Waukee
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,695.73 | $7,348 | $88,178 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,017.44 | $4,409 | $52,907 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $678.29 | $2,939 | $35,271 |
Compare NMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nuclear Medicine Technologist (Waukee) | $42.39 |
| 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 Waukee, IA earn a median of $88,167 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.13% lower than the national median of $106,398 and 4.30% below the Iowa state average of $92,129.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $42.39/hr = $52,907/year (purchasing power: $58,525).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $88,178/year (purchasing power: $97,542).
CoL index: 90.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$31.06/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$40.39/hr
2026 Current Est.
$42.39/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Waukee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31.06/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $31.71/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $31.38/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $33.99/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $36.86/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $34.93/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $40.39/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42.39/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $44.50/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nuclear medicine technologists in Waukee grew 30.0% from $31.06/hr (2019) to $40.39/hr (2025). At a 4.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $44.50/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 Waukee 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 Waukee
For those contemplating a part-time career in nuclear medicine in Waukee, a technologist working three days a week may see annual earnings considerably lower than a full-time counterpart, yet still reasonable enough to support a decent lifestyle given the local cost of living. Per diem nuclear medicine technologists typically command rates between $55 and $80 per hour, further indicating the potential for flexibility in working arrangements. Specialization also drives pay differentiation, as PET/CT technologists in outpatient oncology centers and theranostics-trained roles can demand $65 to $95 per hour. These rates differ across institution types – from hospitals and outpatient facilities to VA medical centers and mobile imaging services, which may offer varied benefits. Some technologists choose lower hourly rates to secure health insurance, highlighting the importance of weighing immediate compensation against long-term benefits. For effective negotiation, understanding the nuances of the local job market and the specific needs of the institutions in Waukee will be crucial for maximizing earnings in this field.
More salary data for Waukee, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for nuclear medicine technologists in Waukee in 2026?
How much do part-time nuclear medicine technologists make in Waukee?
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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 Waukee. 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 Waukee 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