Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay in Houston, TX: $54.12 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nuclear medicine technologist working in Houston, TX runs $54.12 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $112,549 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Weighted against Houston's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.6, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $54.87 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $67,538 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
With a projected nuclear medicine technologist hourly pay of $54.12 in Houston, Texas, professionals in this field earn significantly above the national median of $51.15. This elevated pay reflects the increasing demand for skilled technologists in settings such as hospital nuclear medicine suites, PET/CT imaging centers, and mobile PET trailers. For part-time workers, such as those clocking in three days a week, the compensation can lead to substantial annual earnings while providing a flexible schedule. The hourly range for nuclear medicine technologists spans from $47.37 at the entry-level (P10) to $64.31 for those at the top end of the spectrum (P90), showing that experience and specialization can greatly influence pay.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47.37 | $378.95 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48.90 | $391.21 |
| Median (P50) | $54.12 | $432.94 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $58.22 | $465.77 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $64.31 | $514.47 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Houston
Based on $54.12/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $54.12/hr, a nuclear medicine technologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Houston, TX can expect to earn approximately $112,564 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $64,941. With a cost-of-living index of 98.63 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Houston.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Houston
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,164.70 | $9,380 | $112,564 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,298.82 | $5,628 | $67,538 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $865.88 | $3,752 | $45,026 |
Compare NMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nuclear Medicine Technologist (Houston) | $54.12 |
| 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 Houston, TX earn a median of $112,549 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.78% higher than the national median of $106,398 and 10.20% above the Texas state average of $102,131.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $54.12/hr = $67,538/year (purchasing power: $68,477).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $112,564/year (purchasing power: $114,129).
CoL index: 98.629 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$38.45/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$51.56/hr
2026 Current Est.
$54.12/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+47.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Houston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38.45/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $37.76/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $42.74/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $47.14/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $46.74/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $49.21/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $51.56/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $54.12/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $56.80/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nuclear medicine technologists in Houston grew 34.1% from $38.45/hr (2019) to $51.56/hr (2025). At a 4.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $56.80/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 Houston 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 Houston
For technicians considering part-time positions, working 24 hours per week might yield an annual income that still provides a comfortable living, although full-time roles generally present more financial stability. Many per diem nuclear medicine technologists in Houston find themselves billing anywhere from $55 to $80 per hour, while specialized PET/CT technicians working in outpatient oncology centers can command rates between $65 and $95 per hour. The pay structure can differ markedly among various employers, such as hospitals, outpatient imaging facilities, and specialized theranostics centers, with benefits often dictating the choices of many workers who trade off lower hourly rates for comprehensive health insurance. When negotiating your nuclear medicine technologist hourly rate in Houston, it's vital to keep in mind the market standard but also consider the non-monetary benefits that can enhance overall job satisfaction and financial well-being.
More salary data for Houston, TX:
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 Houston. 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