Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay in Chester, PA: $48.15 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nuclear medicine technologist working in Chester, PA runs $48.15 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $100,140 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Weighted against Chester's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.4, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $49.43 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $60,085 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Chester, Pennsylvania, the projected nuclear medicine technologist hourly pay is set at $48.15 for 2026, which stands below the national median of $51.15. This rate significantly impacts part-time and per-diem workers, who may operate in various environments such as hospital nuclear medicine suites, outpatient PET/CT imaging centers, and mobile PET trailers. With the hourly range spanning from $40.09 for entry-level positions to $59.89 for more experienced professionals, the pay scales reflect both experience levels and the increasing complexity of the roles, especially in advanced therapeutic areas. Such rates are based on 2026 estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, suggesting a competitive environment for nuclear medicine technologists in Chester, especially as demand grows for PET/CT and theranostics applications.
About the Chester Market
Salary estimated from Pennsylvania average ($96,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40.09 | $320.76 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42.83 | $342.67 |
| Median (P50) | $48.15 | $385.16 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $53.73 | $429.83 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $59.89 | $479.12 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Chester
Based on $48.15/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $48.15/hr, a nuclear medicine technologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Chester, PA can expect to earn approximately $100,142 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $57,774. With a cost-of-living index of 97.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Chester.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Chester
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,925.81 | $8,345 | $100,142 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,155.48 | $5,007 | $60,085 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $770.32 | $3,338 | $40,057 |
Compare NMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nuclear Medicine Technologist (Chester) | $48.15 |
| 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 Chester, PA earn a median of $100,140 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.88% lower than the national median of $106,398 and 3.40% below the Pennsylvania state average of $103,665.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $48.15/hr = $60,085/year (purchasing power: $61,689).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $100,142/year (purchasing power: $102,815).
CoL index: 97.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$35.27/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$45.87/hr
2026 Current Est.
$48.15/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Chester (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35.27/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $36.01/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $35.64/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $38.60/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $41.86/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $43.44/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $45.87/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48.15/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50.53/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nuclear medicine technologists in Chester grew 30.0% from $35.27/hr (2019) to $45.87/hr (2025). At a 4.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $50.53/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 Chester 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 Chester
Full-time nuclear medicine technologists typically enjoy stable annual earnings, while those working three days a week might bring home a substantial income but less predictability. Part-time nuclear medicine technologists working 24 hours weekly can earn significantly less than their full-time counterparts; however, they still maintain flexibility that many in the field value. Per-diem nuclear medicine technologist pay in Chester can range from $55 to $80 per hour, with specialized PET/CT technicians in outpatient oncology often reaching up to $95 per hour. Employers such as regional hospitals, outpatient imaging centers, and even mobile PET companies offer varying rates based on the work environment, with those engaged in theranostics commanding premium rates, particularly in quaternary cancer centers. Given the trade-offs between pay and benefits, some may prefer lower hourly wages for full health coverage, while others seek higher hourly pay with fewer benefits. In negotiations, it's crucial to highlight relevant skills, like certifications from SNMMI-TS or NMTCB, which can provide leverage when discussing pay rates in Chester’s dynamic nuclear medicine landscape.
More salary data for Chester, PA:
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 Chester. 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 Chester 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