Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay in Covington, KY: $45.07 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nuclear medicine technologist working in Covington, KY runs $45.07 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $93,751 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Weighted against Covington's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.3, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $50.47 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $56,247 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Nuclear medicine technologists in Covington, KY, earn a median hourly rate of $45.07, which reflects a slight dip compared to the national median of $51.15. This hourly wage can significantly impact part-time and per-diem professionals working in various settings, such as hospital nuclear medicine suites, PET/CT imaging centers, and theranostics infusion suites. For part-time technologists working three days a week, the financial return can be substantial, making the profession attractive even for those who desire flexibility. The hourly range also varies, with entry-level positions starting around $35.38 per hour and top earners commanding up to $56.21, reflecting the differing levels of experience and specialization within this critical healthcare field.
About the Covington 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) | $35.38 | $283.06 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38.51 | $308.08 |
| Median (P50) | $45.07 | $360.56 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $50.52 | $404.14 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $56.21 | $449.65 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Covington
Based on $45.07/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $45.07/hr, a nuclear medicine technologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Covington, KY can expect to earn approximately $93,745 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $54,084. With a cost-of-living index of 89.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Covington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Covington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,802.79 | $7,812 | $93,745 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,081.68 | $4,687 | $56,247 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $721.12 | $3,125 | $37,498 |
Compare NMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nuclear Medicine Technologist (Covington) | $45.07 |
| 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 Covington, KY earn a median of $93,751 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.89% lower than the national median of $106,398 and 1.30% below the Kentucky state average of $94,986.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $45.07/hr = $56,247/year (purchasing power: $62,987).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $93,745/year (purchasing power: $104,978).
CoL index: 89.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$33.02/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$42.94/hr
2026 Current Est.
$45.07/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Covington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33.02/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $33.71/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $33.36/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $36.13/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $39.18/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $33.89/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $42.94/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $45.07/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47.31/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nuclear medicine technologists in Covington grew 30.0% from $33.02/hr (2019) to $42.94/hr (2025). At a 4.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $47.31/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 Covington 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 Covington
Investigating the earning potential of a nuclear medicine technologist offers a closer look at part-time and per-diem realities. Working 24 hours a week, a part-time technologist could bring home approximately $56,000 annually, a considerable income for those balancing other commitments. On the other hand, per-diem nuclear medicine technologists often charge between $55 and $80 per hour, with PET/CT specialists in outpatient oncology and theranostics-trained techs at cancer centers earning $65 to $95, underscoring why many professionals opt for these flexible arrangements. Rates also differ based on employer types in Covington; those at VA medical centers or mobile PET companies might see less hourly pay compared to outpatient settings. Some choose lower-paying roles with health benefits for stability, while others prioritize higher pay rates without insurance. Keeping these dynamics in mind can guide effective negotiations, allowing professionals to advocate for fair compensation within a competitive job market.
More salary data for Covington, 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 Covington. 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 Covington 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