Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay in Lubbock, TX: $49.84 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nuclear medicine technologist working in Lubbock, TX runs $49.84 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $103,653 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Weighted against Lubbock's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.0, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $51.91 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $62,194 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Lubbock, Texas, a nuclear medicine technologist earns a median hourly rate of $49.84, which is slightly below the national median of $51.15. This compensation can be particularly appealing to those seeking flexible work arrangements, such as part-time or per-diem positions in hospitals, PET/CT imaging centers, or mobile PET trailers. For professionals working three days a week, this hourly pay translates to an attractive income without the need for full-time commitment. The hourly wage ranges from $37.50 at the entry-level to $69.28 for the most experienced technologists, providing a broad spectrum of earning potential based on skill and experience. These estimates are derived from annual salary data and highlight the diverse opportunities available within Lubbock's healthcare industry.
About the Lubbock Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37.50 | $300.02 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41.97 | $335.79 |
| Median (P50) | $49.84 | $398.68 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $59.13 | $473.08 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $69.28 | $554.27 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lubbock
Based on $49.84/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $49.84/hr, a nuclear medicine technologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lubbock, TX can expect to earn approximately $103,657 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $59,802. With a cost-of-living index of 96.00 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lubbock.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lubbock
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,993.40 | $8,638 | $103,657 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,196.04 | $5,183 | $62,194 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $797.36 | $3,455 | $41,463 |
Compare NMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nuclear Medicine Technologist (Lubbock) | $49.84 |
| 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 Lubbock, TX earn a median of $103,653 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.58% lower than the national median of $106,398 and 1.50% above the Texas state average of $102,121.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $49.84/hr = $62,194/year (purchasing power: $64,786).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $103,657/year (purchasing power: $107,976).
CoL index: 96 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$36.51/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$47.48/hr
2026 Current Est.
$49.84/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Lubbock (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36.51/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $37.28/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $36.89/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $39.95/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $43.33/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $43.09/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $47.48/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49.84/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52.31/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nuclear medicine technologists in Lubbock grew 30.0% from $36.51/hr (2019) to $47.48/hr (2025). At a 4.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $52.31/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 Lubbock 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 Lubbock
Examining part-time earnings, a nuclear medicine technologist working 24 hours a week can still take home a significant annual income compared to full-time colleagues. Per diem nuclear medicine technologists often command between $55 and $80 per hour, while PET/CT specialists at outpatient oncology centers could make $65 to $95 hourly, reflecting high demand and specialized skills. Roles in theranostics, particularly with lutetium-177 therapies, can also secure top-tier pay rates. Compensation varies across employer types in Lubbock; for instance, hospital nuclear medicine departments may offer lower hourly rates compared to mobile imaging companies or VA medical centers. It's not uncommon for technologists to negotiate benefits such as health insurance for slightly lower hourly pay. Those in the workforce should adopt practical negotiation strategies by researching local pay rates for specific specialties to ensure they are compensated fairly while weighing the benefits of consistent employment against the flexibility of per-diem work.
More salary data for Lubbock, 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 Lubbock. 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 Lubbock 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