Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay in Watertown, MA: $54.78 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nuclear medicine technologist working in Watertown, MA runs $54.78 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $113,945 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Weighted against Watertown's regional price level (BEA RPP 108.5, 9% above national), each hour of work buys what $50.49 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $68,364 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Watertown, Massachusetts, the projected nuclear medicine technologist hourly pay for 2026 stands at $54.78. This places local professionals in a favorable position compared to the national hourly median of $51.15, representing a 7.09% higher rate. For those seeking part-time employment, working three days a week typically leads to fulfilling roles in various settings, such as hospital nuclear medicine suites, cardiology practices, and outpatient PET/CT imaging centers. Individuals at earlier career stages may start around $43.03 per hour, while top earners can achieve rates as high as $68.48 per hour. These estimates are rooted in annual salary data, providing a clear picture of the potential earnings landscape for nuclear medicine technologists in Watertown.
About the Watertown Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($116,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43.03 | $344.27 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48.94 | $391.54 |
| Median (P50) | $54.78 | $438.23 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $61.34 | $490.71 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $68.48 | $547.81 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Watertown
Based on $54.78/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $54.78/hr, a nuclear medicine technologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Watertown, MA can expect to earn approximately $113,940 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $65,734. With a cost-of-living index of 108.50 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Watertown.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Watertown
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,191.14 | $9,495 | $113,940 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,314.69 | $5,697 | $68,364 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $876.46 | $3,798 | $45,576 |
Compare NMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nuclear Medicine Technologist (Watertown) | $54.78 |
| 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 Watertown, MA earn a median of $113,945 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.09% higher than the national median of $106,398 and 1.30% below the Massachusetts state average of $115,445.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $54.78/hr = $68,364/year (purchasing power: $63,008).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $113,940/year (purchasing power: $105,013).
CoL index: 108.5 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$40.13/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$52.19/hr
2026 Current Est.
$54.78/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Watertown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40.13/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $40.98/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $40.55/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $43.92/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $47.62/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $59.73/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $52.19/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $54.78/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57.50/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nuclear medicine technologists in Watertown grew 30.0% from $40.13/hr (2019) to $52.19/hr (2025). At a 4.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $57.50/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 Watertown 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 Watertown
Part-time nuclear medicine technologists working a 24-hour week could be looking at a salary considerably less than their full-time counterparts. This translates to earnings that reflect their flexible schedules and the specific needs of their employers. For those considering per diem roles, the potential pay is even more enticing; these professionals often bill $55 to $80 per hour, with advanced roles, such as PET/CT imaging and those specializing in theranostics at quaternary cancer centers, commanding rates between $65 and $95 per hour. Hourly rates can fluctuate significantly depending on the employer type, with varying compensation in hospital departments versus outpatient facilities. Additionally, some technologists may choose positions that offer lower hourly wages in exchange for health benefits and job security. For successful negotiations, either for per diem assignments or part-time commitments, it's beneficial to understand the regional pay standards and be prepared to advocate for compensation that reflects experience and specialization within this growing field in Watertown.
More salary data for Watertown, MA:
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 Watertown. 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 Watertown 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