Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay in Baton Rouge, LA: $48.22 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nuclear medicine technologist working in Baton Rouge, LA runs $48.22 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $100,286 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Weighted against Baton Rouge's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.3, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $53.40 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $60,177 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Baton Rouge, the projected nuclear medicine technologist hourly pay for 2026 stands at $48.22, slightly below the national median of $51.15. This competitive hourly rate positions technologists well, especially those working part-time or as per-diem employees in various settings such as hospital nuclear medicine suites, PET/CT imaging centers, and even mobile PET trailers. For part-time technologists working three days a week, this translates to a substantial income while maintaining work-life balance. The estimated hourly range for nuclear medicine technologists in Baton Rouge spans from a lower entry-level pay of $34.64 to a top-tier earning potential of $66.53, reflecting the disparities based on experience and specialization within the field.
About the Baton Rouge Market
Salary estimated from Louisiana average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34.64 | $277.09 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39.37 | $314.96 |
| Median (P50) | $48.22 | $385.75 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $57.05 | $456.37 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $66.53 | $532.27 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Baton Rouge
Based on $48.22/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $48.22/hr, a nuclear medicine technologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Baton Rouge, LA can expect to earn approximately $100,295 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $57,862. With a cost-of-living index of 90.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Baton Rouge.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Baton Rouge
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,928.74 | $8,358 | $100,295 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,157.25 | $5,015 | $60,177 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $771.50 | $3,343 | $40,118 |
Compare NMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nuclear Medicine Technologist (Baton Rouge) | $48.22 |
| 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 Baton Rouge, LA earn a median of $100,286 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.74% lower than the national median of $106,398 and 4.40% above the Louisiana state average of $96,060.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $48.22/hr = $60,177/year (purchasing power: $66,641).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $100,295/year (purchasing power: $111,068).
CoL index: 90.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$30.82/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$45.94/hr
2026 Current Est.
$48.22/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+64.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Baton Rouge (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30.82/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $34.00/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.53/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $40.41/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $41.92/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $37.16/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $45.94/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48.22/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50.61/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nuclear medicine technologists in Baton Rouge grew 49.1% from $30.82/hr (2019) to $45.94/hr (2025). At a 4.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $50.61/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 Baton Rouge 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 Baton Rouge
When considering a part-time role, a nuclear medicine technologist in Baton Rouge could potentially earn about $61,036 annually, significantly less than a full-time counterpart, but still rewarding given the increased flexibility. Per-diem nuclear medicine technologist pay in Baton Rouge can vary significantly, with many professionals billing between $55 and $80 per hour, particularly in specialized outpatient centers for oncology. PET/CT technologists often earn even higher, with hourly rates reaching from $65 to $95, while those trained in theranostics therapies can command even more during high-demand procedures. Different employer types—such as hospitals, outpatient imaging centers, and mobile PET companies—affect hourly rates, with some positions offering lower hourly wages but enhanced benefits like health insurance. Bargaining for better rates can yield results, especially if highlighting additional certifications or experience with emerging therapies such as lutetium-177. Therefore, understanding both market rates and specific role expectations will empower technologists in Baton Rouge to navigate their compensation effectively.
More salary data for Baton Rouge, LA:
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 Baton Rouge. 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 Baton Rouge 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