Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay in St. Joseph, MO: $45.96 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nuclear medicine technologist working in St. Joseph, MO runs $45.96 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $95,607 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Weighted against St. Joseph's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.6, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $51.30 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $57,361 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Nuclear medicine technologists in St. Joseph, Missouri earn a median hourly rate of $45.96, which is notably lower than the national median of $51.15. This compensation reflects the unique economic landscape of St. Joseph, where the cost of living index is below the national average at 89.6. For part-time professionals who typically work around three days per week, earning this hourly rate can translate to around $35,000 annually, depending on their weekly hours and any additional shifts. With an hourly range that spans from $34.65 for entry-level positions to $58.69 for top earners, both per-diem workers and those involved in varied settings like hospital nuclear medicine suites and outpatient imaging centers can find opportunities that fit their lifestyle and financial needs.
About the St. Joseph 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) | $34.65 | $277.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38.45 | $307.57 |
| Median (P50) | $45.96 | $367.70 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $52.04 | $416.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $58.69 | $469.55 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in St. Joseph
Based on $45.96/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $45.96/hr, a nuclear medicine technologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in St. Joseph, MO can expect to earn approximately $95,601 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $55,154. With a cost-of-living index of 89.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in St. Joseph.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in St. Joseph
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,838.48 | $7,967 | $95,601 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,103.09 | $4,780 | $57,361 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $735.39 | $3,187 | $38,240 |
Compare NMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nuclear Medicine Technologist (St. Joseph) | $45.96 |
| 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 St. Joseph, MO earn a median of $95,607 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.14% lower than the national median of $106,398 and 0.30% above the Missouri state average of $95,321.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $45.96/hr = $57,361/year (purchasing power: $64,018).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $95,601/year (purchasing power: $106,697).
CoL index: 89.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$33.67/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$43.79/hr
2026 Current Est.
$45.96/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in St. Joseph (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33.67/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $34.38/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $34.02/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $36.85/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $39.96/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $37.15/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $43.79/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $45.96/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $48.24/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nuclear medicine technologists in St. Joseph grew 30.0% from $33.67/hr (2019) to $43.79/hr (2025). At a 4.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $48.24/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 St. Joseph 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 St. Joseph
Considering the earning potential for nuclear medicine technologists in St. Joseph reveals multiple pathways for both stability and flexibility. For a 3-day work week at 24 hours, the annual take-home pay would average significantly less than full-time salaries, sitting around $35,000. On the other hand, per diem nuclear medicine technologist pay in St. Joseph often ranges from $55 to $80 hourly, especially for techs specializing in PET/CT imaging or those trained in theranostics, which are seeing growth in demand. Working in various employer types significantly influences hourly rates as well: hospitals, outpatient imaging centers, and specialty clinics like those focusing on theranostics therapies may offer different compensatory structures. Benefits often drive decisions—those seeking job security and health insurance might opt for roles with lower hourly rates, while others might pursue higher pay without benefits in per-diem positions. For seasoned technologists, negotiating skills can be vital; understanding the local market and being aware of employer-specific rates can help maximize potential earnings in this competitive field.
More salary data for St. Joseph, MO:
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 St. Joseph. 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 St. Joseph 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