Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay in St. Louis, MO: $51.56 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nuclear medicine technologist working in St. Louis, MO runs $51.56 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $107,238 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Weighted against St. Louis's regional price level (BEA RPP 95.1, 5% below national), each hour of work buys what $54.22 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $64,342 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the nuclear medicine technologist hourly pay in St. Louis, Missouri, is projected to be $51.56, which slightly surpasses the national median of $51.15. This hourly rate provides a competitive edge, especially for part-time workers who might typically engage in three-day workweeks, amounting to about 24 hours. This flexibility also opens doors for per-diem positions, with nuclear medicine technologists commonly employed in hospital nuclear medicine suites, PET/CT imaging centers, and mobile PET trailers. For those entering the profession, the hourly pay starts at $37.41, while top earners can command rates up to $60.43. This wage structure reflects the vital roles these technologists play in modern healthcare, particularly in the expanding fields of PET/CT and theranostics, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37.41 | $299.26 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41.25 | $329.99 |
| Median (P50) | $51.56 | $412.45 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $53.27 | $426.14 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $60.43 | $483.40 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in St. Louis
Based on $51.56/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $51.56/hr, a nuclear medicine technologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in St. Louis, MO can expect to earn approximately $107,237 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $61,868. With a cost-of-living index of 95.09 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in St. Louis.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in St. Louis
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,062.25 | $8,936 | $107,237 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,237.35 | $5,362 | $64,342 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $824.90 | $3,575 | $42,895 |
Compare NMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nuclear Medicine Technologist (St. Louis) | $51.56 |
| 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. Louis, MO earn a median of $107,238 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.79% higher than the national median of $106,398 and 12.50% above the Missouri state average of $95,322.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $51.56/hr = $64,342/year (purchasing power: $67,666).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $107,237/year (purchasing power: $112,777).
CoL index: 95.088 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$36.47/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$49.12/hr
2026 Current Est.
$51.56/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+48.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in St. Louis (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36.47/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $35.64/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.24/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $38.86/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $42.02/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $47.14/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $49.12/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51.56/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $54.11/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nuclear medicine technologists in St. Louis grew 34.7% from $36.47/hr (2019) to $49.12/hr (2025). At a 4.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $54.11/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. Louis 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. Louis
Considering the part-time earning potential, a nuclear medicine technologist working 24 hours a week would take home roughly $40,000 annually, substantially less than their full-time counterparts. Meanwhile, per diem nuclear medicine technologist pay in St. Louis varies widely, with many technologists billing between $55 and $80 per hour, depending on their specialization. For instance, PET/CT technicians at outpatient oncology centers can expect between $65 and $95 per hour, while theranostics-trained professionals may command even higher premiums for their expertise. Hourly rates can fluctuate depending on the work setting, with hospital departments generally offering different compensation structures compared to outpatient facilities and mobile imaging companies. Many technologists face a benefits trade-off in this field, choosing between lower hourly rates with health insurance or higher pay without additional perks. When negotiating hourly rates, it's beneficial for technologists to emphasize their credentials and relevant experience in the specialty areas that are currently in high demand, such as theranostics or advanced imaging technologies, ensuring they secure the best possible compensation for their skills in St. Louis.
More salary data for St. Louis, 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. Louis. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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