Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay in Natchitoches, LA: $43.16 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nuclear medicine technologist working in Natchitoches, LA runs $43.16 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $89,782 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Weighted against Natchitoches's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.3, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $47.80 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $53,863 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Natchitoches, Louisiana, the projected nuclear medicine technologist hourly pay for 2026 is $43.16, which reflects a 15.62% decrease compared to the national median hourly rate of $51.15. For part-time workers, typically employed for three days a week, this translates to nearly $3,500 each month—making it a viable option for those seeking flexibility while still earning a substantial income. With a range of hourly earnings from $36.76 for entry-level positions to $54.44 for those at the top of their field, workers in hospital nuclear medicine suites, outpatient PET/CT imaging centers, and theranostic infusion suites can find lucrative opportunities. These rates are based on annual salary data, but they reflect the multifaceted nature of positions within the medical imaging and therapy sectors in Natchitoches.
About the Natchitoches 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) | $36.76 | $294.06 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38.90 | $311.19 |
| Median (P50) | $43.16 | $345.28 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $47.32 | $378.53 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $54.44 | $435.54 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Natchitoches
Based on $43.16/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $43.16/hr, a nuclear medicine technologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Natchitoches, LA can expect to earn approximately $89,772 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $51,791. With a cost-of-living index of 90.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Natchitoches.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Natchitoches
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,726.38 | $7,481 | $89,772 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,035.83 | $4,489 | $53,863 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $690.55 | $2,992 | $35,909 |
Compare NMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nuclear Medicine Technologist (Natchitoches) | $43.16 |
| 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 Natchitoches, LA earn a median of $89,782 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.62% lower than the national median of $106,398 and 6.60% below the Louisiana state average of $96,126.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $43.16/hr = $53,863/year (purchasing power: $59,649).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $89,772/year (purchasing power: $99,415).
CoL index: 90.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$31.62/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$41.12/hr
2026 Current Est.
$43.16/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Natchitoches (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31.62/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $32.29/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $31.95/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $34.60/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $37.52/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $33.27/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $41.12/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $43.16/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $45.30/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nuclear medicine technologists in Natchitoches grew 30.0% from $31.62/hr (2019) to $41.12/hr (2025). At a 4.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $45.30/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 Natchitoches 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 Natchitoches
Exploring the dynamics of part-time and per-diem nuclear medicine technologist pay in Natchitoches reveals significant potential for professionals in this field. A nuclear medicine technologist working part-time, averaging 24 hours a week, could anticipate an approximate annual income of around $67,198, in contrast to full-time counterparts who earn more substantially. Per-diem roles provide another avenue, as many techs can command rates between $55 and $80 per hour for on-demand work, particularly in outpatient oncology centers or at high-demand locations where PET/CT expertise is sought for therapies like lutetium-177 treatments. Hourly rates can vary significantly depending on the workplace setting, with hospitals, private practices, and mobile PET imaging companies all offering different compensations. While some technologists may opt for lower hourly wages for the benefits of full-time employment, others prefer the higher pay available in per-diem arrangements lacking benefits. Negotiating based on skill set—especially with advanced specialization in PET/CT or theranostics—can give local technologists an edge in securing higher pay in this competitive sector.
More salary data for Natchitoches, 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 Natchitoches. 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 Natchitoches 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