Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay in Columbia, MD: $51.68 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nuclear medicine technologist working in Columbia, MD runs $51.68 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $107,505 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Weighted against Columbia's regional price level (BEA RPP 109.3, 9% above national), each hour of work buys what $47.28 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $64,500 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Nuclear medicine technologists in Columbia, MD, earn a median hourly pay of $51.68, slightly surpassing the national median of $51.15. This competitive rate benefits both those who work full-time and individuals pursuing part-time positions or per-diem work in various settings, including hospital nuclear medicine suites, PET/CT imaging centers, and cardiac stress test rooms. Entry-level professionals can expect to earn around $38.65 per hour, while experienced technologists can command up to $69.78 in their roles. Such flexibility in scheduling allows workers to balance multiple responsibilities or to take advantage of the higher demands in specialized areas, contributing to a more dynamic workforce in Columbia's healthcare landscape.
About the Columbia Market
Salary estimated from Maryland average ($102,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38.65 | $309.17 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43.11 | $344.86 |
| Median (P50) | $51.68 | $413.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $60.59 | $484.75 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $69.78 | $558.22 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Columbia
Based on $51.68/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $51.68/hr, a nuclear medicine technologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Columbia, MD can expect to earn approximately $107,499 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $62,019. With a cost-of-living index of 109.30 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Columbia.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Columbia
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,067.29 | $8,958 | $107,499 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,240.38 | $5,375 | $64,500 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $826.92 | $3,583 | $43,000 |
Compare NMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nuclear Medicine Technologist (Columbia) | $51.68 |
| 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 Columbia, MD earn a median of $107,505 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.04% higher than the national median of $106,398 and 7.60% below the Maryland state average of $116,348.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $51.68/hr = $64,500/year (purchasing power: $59,011).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $107,499/year (purchasing power: $98,352).
CoL index: 109.3 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$37.86/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$49.24/hr
2026 Current Est.
$51.68/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Columbia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37.86/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $38.66/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $38.26/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $41.43/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $44.93/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $55.11/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $49.24/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51.68/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $54.25/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nuclear medicine technologists in Columbia grew 30.0% from $37.86/hr (2019) to $49.24/hr (2025). At a 4.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $54.25/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 Columbia 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 Columbia
For a nuclear medicine technologist working part-time, specifically three days a week for a total of 24 hours, the financial dynamics can vary. They would take home substantially less annually compared to full-time counterparts, translating to a more limited overall income. In contrast, per-diem opportunities are lucrative, where rates can range between $55 and $80 per hour, with specialized roles, especially in the PET/CT sector, commanding $65 to $95 hourly. This variance across different employer types, from hospital departments to outpatient settings and mobile PET imaging companies, creates diverse earning potentials. However, many technologists might accept positions with lower pay but stable benefits, especially in environments that provide health insurance. Those negotiating hourly pay in Columbia should consider market demands, explore fringe benefits, and carefully assess the value of both higher pay and job security when making career choices.
More salary data for Columbia, MD:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for nuclear medicine technologists in Columbia 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 Columbia. 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 Columbia 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