Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay in Houma, LA: $44.69 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nuclear medicine technologist working in Houma, LA runs $44.69 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $92,960 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Weighted against Houma's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.3, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $49.49 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $55,776 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Houma, Louisiana, the projected median hourly pay for nuclear medicine technologists stands at $44.69, which reflects a competitive rate compared to the national median of $51.15. This hourly rate can significantly impact part-time workers, such as those on a three-day workweek, allowing for a flexible lifestyle while still earning a respectable income in various settings, including hospital nuclear medicine suites and outpatient imaging centers. For entry-level positions, hourly rates start around $37.12, while seasoned professionals can command up to $55.70 per hour. Since these figures are derived from annual salary estimates, they reflect the potential earning landscape for nuclear medicine technologists in both traditional roles and mobile PET trailers throughout the Houma area.
About the Houma 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) | $37.12 | $296.99 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39.83 | $318.66 |
| Median (P50) | $44.69 | $357.54 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49.95 | $399.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $55.70 | $445.62 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Houma
Based on $44.69/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $44.69/hr, a nuclear medicine technologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Houma, LA can expect to earn approximately $92,959 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $53,630. With a cost-of-living index of 90.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Houma.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Houma
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,787.68 | $7,747 | $92,959 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,072.61 | $4,648 | $55,776 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $715.07 | $3,099 | $37,184 |
Compare NMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nuclear Medicine Technologist (Houma) | $44.69 |
| 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 Houma, LA earn a median of $92,960 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.63% lower than the national median of $106,398 and 3.20% below the Louisiana state average of $96,033.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $44.69/hr = $55,776/year (purchasing power: $61,767).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $92,959/year (purchasing power: $102,945).
CoL index: 90.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$32.74/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$42.58/hr
2026 Current Est.
$44.69/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Houma (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32.74/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $33.43/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $33.08/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $35.83/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $38.85/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $34.44/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $42.58/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $44.69/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $46.91/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nuclear medicine technologists in Houma grew 30.0% from $32.74/hr (2019) to $42.58/hr (2025). At a 4.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $46.91/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 Houma 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 Houma
When examining the financial prospects of nuclear medicine technologists, part-time professionals working 24-hour weeks can anticipate an approximate annual take-home that contrasts with full-time earnings. In the world of per diem nuclear medicine technologist pay in Houma, freelancers often bill between $55 and $80 per hour, whereas PET/CT technologists in outpatient oncology settings might earn between $65 and $95 per hour. The substantial differences in compensation also extend across employer types, with roles in theranostics centers often yielding higher rates due to the rising demand for specialized skills. However, some technologists may accept lower hourly rates in exchange for benefits like health insurance, which poses an essential trade-off to consider. Effective negotiation tactics, particularly in localized settings, can enhance compensation; articulating advanced certifications or specialized training from SNMMI-TS can help justify requests for higher rates, especially given the field's growth and the evolving emphasis on PET/CT and theranostics services.
More salary data for Houma, LA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for nuclear medicine technologists in Houma in 2026?
How much do part-time nuclear medicine technologists make in Houma?
Are nuclear medicine technologists in Houma paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time nuclear medicine technologist make per year in Houma?
Do nuclear medicine technologists earn more per hour working part-time in Houma?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Louisiana
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 Houma. 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 Houma 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