Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay in Portland, ME: $48.64 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nuclear medicine technologist working in Portland, ME runs $48.64 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $101,160 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Weighted against Portland's regional price level (BEA RPP 99.6, 0% above national), each hour of work buys what $48.83 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $60,701 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Portland, Maine, the nuclear medicine technologist hourly pay is projected to be $48.64 in 2026, which is slightly lower than the national hourly median of $51.15. This pay scale provides a solid foundation for those considering both full-time and part-time roles. For part-time professionals working three days a week, the earnings can be quite substantial, allowing for a flexible work-life balance while still securing a rewarding income. The hourly range spans from approximately $36.87 for entry-level positions to $64.21 for experienced technologists, reflecting the varying levels of expertise in settings such as hospital nuclear medicine suites, outpatient PET/CT imaging centers, and mobile PET trailers. These hourly rates are derived from annual salary data, and they offer insight into the earning potential irrespective of the type of employment arrangement, such as full-time, part-time, or per diem.
About the Portland Market
Salary estimated from Maine average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36.87 | $294.98 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40.80 | $326.38 |
| Median (P50) | $48.64 | $389.11 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $56.22 | $449.73 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $64.21 | $513.72 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Portland
Based on $48.64/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $48.64/hr, a nuclear medicine technologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Portland, ME can expect to earn approximately $101,168 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $58,366. With a cost-of-living index of 99.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Portland.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Portland
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,945.54 | $8,431 | $101,168 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,167.32 | $5,058 | $60,701 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $778.22 | $3,372 | $40,467 |
Compare NMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nuclear Medicine Technologist (Portland) | $48.64 |
| 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 Portland, ME earn a median of $101,160 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.92% lower than the national median of $106,398 and 0.50% above the Maine state average of $100,657.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $48.64/hr = $60,701/year (purchasing power: $60,945).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $101,168/year (purchasing power: $101,574).
CoL index: 99.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$35.63/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$46.34/hr
2026 Current Est.
$48.64/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Portland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35.63/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $36.38/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $36.00/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $38.99/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $42.29/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $44.27/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $46.34/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48.64/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51.05/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nuclear medicine technologists in Portland grew 30.0% from $35.63/hr (2019) to $46.34/hr (2025). At a 4.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $51.05/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 Portland 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 Portland
Considering the nuances of per-diem nuclear medicine technologist pay in Portland, those who work on a flexible basis often have the potential to earn higher hourly rates. Per-diem technologists typically bill between $55 and $80 per hour, with specialized positions like PET/CT technicians at outpatient oncology centers earning around $65 to $95 per hour. Advanced roles, particularly in theranostics involving radionuclide therapies, can command even higher pay, especially in quaternary cancer centers. Differences in hourly rates paid by various employers are notable; while hospitals may offer lower rates focusing on benefits, outpatient centers and private practice settings often offer more lucrative opportunities at the expense of job security. Technologists may find it beneficial to negotiate their rates based on these variables, considering the trade-off between steady employment with health insurance and higher hourly pay without benefits. In a market where demand aligns with the rapid advancements in nuclear medicine technology, particularly in PET/CT and theranostics, there's a wealth of opportunity for skilled professionals in Portland, ME.
More salary data for Portland, ME:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for nuclear medicine technologists in Portland in 2026?
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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 Portland. 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 Portland 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