Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay in Cape Girardeau, MO: $44.46 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nuclear medicine technologist working in Cape Girardeau, MO runs $44.46 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $92,484 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Weighted against Cape Girardeau's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.6, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $49.62 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $55,487 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Cape Girardeau, Missouri, nuclear medicine technologists earn a median hourly pay of $44.46, which is significantly below the national median of $51.15. This disparity can impact part-time and per-diem professionals who might work in various settings such as hospital nuclear medicine suites, outpatient PET/CT imaging centers, and mobile PET trailers. For those considering part-time roles, working three days a week would yield approximately 24 hours of work, translating to around $1,066.08 weekly. Meanwhile, the hourly range in Cape Girardeau spans from $37.12 at entry-level positions to $55.65 for experienced technologists. These figures are drawn from annual salary estimates, highlighting the earnings potential for workers in this field.
About the Cape Girardeau Market
Salary estimated from Missouri average ($86,000) 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) | $39.77 | $318.15 |
| Median (P50) | $44.46 | $355.69 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49.82 | $398.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $55.65 | $445.20 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Cape Girardeau
Based on $44.46/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $44.46/hr, a nuclear medicine technologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Cape Girardeau, MO can expect to earn approximately $92,479 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $53,353. With a cost-of-living index of 89.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Cape Girardeau.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Cape Girardeau
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,778.44 | $7,707 | $92,479 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,067.07 | $4,624 | $55,487 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $711.38 | $3,083 | $36,992 |
Compare NMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nuclear Medicine Technologist (Cape Girardeau) | $44.46 |
| 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 Cape Girardeau, MO earn a median of $92,484 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.08% lower than the national median of $106,398 and 3.00% below the Missouri state average of $95,345.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $44.46/hr = $55,487/year (purchasing power: $61,928).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $92,479/year (purchasing power: $103,213).
CoL index: 89.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$32.57/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$42.36/hr
2026 Current Est.
$44.46/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Cape Girardeau (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32.57/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $33.26/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $32.91/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $35.64/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $38.65/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $35.94/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $42.36/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $44.46/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $46.67/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nuclear medicine technologists in Cape Girardeau grew 30.0% from $32.57/hr (2019) to $42.36/hr (2025). At a 4.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $46.67/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 Cape Girardeau 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 Cape Girardeau
Part-time nuclear medicine technologists working an average schedule can expect to take home about $55,590 annually, compared to full-time colleagues who typically earn on a higher salary scale. Per-diem nuclear medicine technologists, on the other hand, often command rates between $55 and $80 per hour, with those in PET/CT roles at oncology centers attracting $65 to $95. This higher earning potential can make per-diem and locum work more appealing, especially for technologists with specialized training in theranostics who may see even greater pay at quaternary cancer centers. Employers in Cape Girardeau vary, from hospital settings with more stable benefits at a lower hourly rate to specialized practices offering higher pay but fewer benefits. Navigating these choices requires understanding one's priorities, especially around health insurance and work-life balance. It’s crucial for workers to ask for competitive rates during negotiations, leveraging the increasing demand in sectors like PET/CT and theranostics to justify their worth.
More salary data for Cape Girardeau, MO:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for nuclear medicine technologists in Cape Girardeau in 2026?
How much do part-time nuclear medicine technologists make in Cape Girardeau?
Are nuclear medicine technologists in Cape Girardeau paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time nuclear medicine technologist make per year in Cape Girardeau?
Do nuclear medicine technologists earn more per hour working part-time in Cape Girardeau?
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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 Cape Girardeau. 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 Cape Girardeau 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