Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay in Ashland, KY: $48.75 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nuclear medicine technologist working in Ashland, KY runs $48.75 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $101,411 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Weighted against Ashland's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.3, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $54.60 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $60,845 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Ashland, Kentucky, the projected median hourly rate for a nuclear medicine technologist is $48.75, slightly lower than the national median of $51.15. This hourly compensation is particularly significant for part-time professionals who typically work three days a week or engage in per-diem roles across various healthcare settings. Facilities such as hospital nuclear medicine suites, PET/CT imaging centers, and theranostics infusion suites offer competitive pay within a broad hourly range, where entry-level positions start at $38.86, while experienced technicians can earn up to $60.23 per hour. These figures indicate a healthy pay structure for nuclear medicine technologists in the area, reflecting estimated hourly rates derived from annual salary data to provide a clear picture of the profession's financial landscape in Ashland.
About the Ashland Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($80,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38.86 | $310.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41.99 | $335.96 |
| Median (P50) | $48.75 | $390.03 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $54.46 | $435.71 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $60.23 | $481.81 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Ashland
Based on $48.75/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $48.75/hr, a nuclear medicine technologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Ashland, KY can expect to earn approximately $101,408 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $58,505. With a cost-of-living index of 89.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Ashland.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Ashland
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,950.16 | $8,451 | $101,408 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,170.09 | $5,070 | $60,845 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $780.06 | $3,380 | $40,563 |
Compare NMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nuclear Medicine Technologist (Ashland) | $48.75 |
| 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 Ashland, KY earn a median of $101,411 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.69% lower than the national median of $106,398 and 6.70% above the Kentucky state average of $95,043.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $48.75/hr = $60,845/year (purchasing power: $68,135).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $101,408/year (purchasing power: $113,559).
CoL index: 89.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$35.72/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$46.45/hr
2026 Current Est.
$48.75/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Ashland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35.72/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $36.47/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $36.09/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $39.09/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $42.39/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $32.67/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $46.45/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48.75/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51.17/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nuclear medicine technologists in Ashland grew 30.0% from $35.72/hr (2019) to $46.45/hr (2025). At a 4.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $51.17/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 Ashland 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 Ashland
In terms of part-time earning potential, a nuclear medicine technologist working 24 hours a week could realistically take home significantly less than full-time workers. With part-time hourly pay, a technologist’s annual earnings could vary drastically compared to those on regular schedules. For per-diem roles, the pay increases as these technicians often command between $55 and $80 per hour depending on their skills and specialties, particularly in lucrative fields like PET/CT at outpatient oncology centers, where rates can reach $65 to $95 per hour. How one is employed influences the pay scale; for instance, positions in hospital environments might offer lower hourly rates but include benefits like health insurance, while mobile PET imaging companies provide higher wages but may lack benefits. This variability means that nuclear medicine technologists in Ashland should weigh their hourly pay against the benefits to find the best employment fit, especially as negotiation strategies can significantly influence earnings.
More salary data for Ashland, KY:
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 Ashland. 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 Ashland 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