Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay in McAllen, TX: $50.04 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nuclear medicine technologist working in McAllen, TX runs $50.04 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $104,092 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Weighted against McAllen's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.0, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $52.13 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $62,456 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
A nuclear medicine technologist in McAllen, TX earns a median hourly pay of $50.04, closely aligned with the national median of $51.15. This competitive rate allows part-time professionals, working three days a week, to take home substantial earnings while enjoying flexibility in their schedules. Working in environments such as hospital nuclear medicine suites or outpatient PET/CT imaging centers, hourly rates for new entrants typically start around $36.66, while experienced technologists in advanced settings can earn up to $69.88 per hour. Given that these figures are approximations based on projected annual salaries for 2026, they reflect the earning potential within a dynamic field critical to modern healthcare.
About the McAllen 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) | $36.66 | $293.30 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41.21 | $329.66 |
| Median (P50) | $50.04 | $400.36 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $56.98 | $455.86 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $69.88 | $559.06 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in McAllen
Based on $50.04/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $50.04/hr, a nuclear medicine technologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in McAllen, TX can expect to earn approximately $104,093 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $60,054. With a cost-of-living index of 96.00 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in McAllen.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in McAllen
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,001.80 | $8,674 | $104,093 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,201.08 | $5,205 | $62,456 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $800.72 | $3,470 | $41,637 |
Compare NMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nuclear Medicine Technologist (McAllen) | $50.04 |
| 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 McAllen, TX earn a median of $104,092 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.17% lower than the national median of $106,398 and 1.90% above the Texas state average of $102,151.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $50.04/hr = $62,456/year (purchasing power: $65,058).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $104,093/year (purchasing power: $108,431).
CoL index: 96 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$36.66/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$47.68/hr
2026 Current Est.
$50.04/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in McAllen (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36.66/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $37.44/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.05/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $40.12/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $43.51/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $43.27/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $47.68/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50.04/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52.53/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nuclear medicine technologists in McAllen grew 30.0% from $36.66/hr (2019) to $47.68/hr (2025). At a 4.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $52.53/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 McAllen 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 McAllen
When examining the earning potential for nuclear medicine technologists who opt for part-time work versus full-time employment, those working 24 hours a week can expect to accrue approximately $62,821 annually, a significant figure compared to full-timers. The per diem nuclear medicine technologist pay in McAllen varies as well; professionals working on a per-project basis often bill between $55 and $80 per hour. PET/CT specialists at outpatient oncology centers can reach hourly rates of $65 to $95, while those trained in theranostics may command the highest premiums. Variations also arise depending on the type of employer; for instance, hospital departments may offer lower hourly rates in exchange for benefits, while mobile imaging companies might present higher hourly wages without such perks. Therefore, successfully negotiating pay hinges on understanding the market, emphasizing skills in high-demand areas like PET/CT and theranostics, and considering the trade-offs between hourly wages and benefits.
More salary data for McAllen, 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 McAllen. 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 McAllen 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