Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay in Charlottesville, VA: $50.60 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nuclear medicine technologist working in Charlottesville, VA runs $50.60 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $105,243 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Weighted against Charlottesville's regional price level (BEA RPP 103.2, 3% above national), each hour of work buys what $49.03 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $63,150 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Charlottesville, the projected hourly pay for a nuclear medicine technologist stands at $50.60, which is slightly below the national median of $51.15. For those seeking part-time roles, often working three days a week, this hourly rate can offer substantial earnings, especially in environments like hospital nuclear medicine suites, PET/CT imaging centers, and mobile PET trailers. For entry-level positions, the hourly wage is estimated to start at about $41.46, while highly experienced technologists can earn up to $65.26 per hour. These figures indicate a healthy range for professionals in this field, driven by both local demand and the specific requirements of various healthcare settings across Charlottesville.
About the Charlottesville Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41.46 | $331.67 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44.51 | $356.11 |
| Median (P50) | $50.60 | $404.81 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $57.89 | $463.08 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $65.26 | $522.11 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Charlottesville
Based on $50.60/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $50.60/hr, a nuclear medicine technologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Charlottesville, VA can expect to earn approximately $105,251 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $60,721. With a cost-of-living index of 103.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Charlottesville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Charlottesville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,024.05 | $8,771 | $105,251 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,214.43 | $5,263 | $63,150 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $809.62 | $3,508 | $42,100 |
Compare NMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nuclear Medicine Technologist (Charlottesville) | $50.60 |
| 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 Charlottesville, VA earn a median of $105,243 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.09% lower than the national median of $106,398 and 4.20% below the Virginia state average of $109,857.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $50.60/hr = $63,150/year (purchasing power: $61,192).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $105,251/year (purchasing power: $101,987).
CoL index: 103.2 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$37.07/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$48.21/hr
2026 Current Est.
$50.60/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Charlottesville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37.07/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $37.85/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.46/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $40.57/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $43.99/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $43.75/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $48.21/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50.60/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53.11/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nuclear medicine technologists in Charlottesville grew 30.0% from $37.07/hr (2019) to $48.21/hr (2025). At a 4.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $53.11/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 Charlottesville 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 Charlottesville
Focusing on part-time opportunities, a nuclear medicine technologist working 24 hours a week can expect to earn approximately $62,892 annually, which demonstrates an enticing option compared to full-time positions. Per-diem workers, who can charge between $55 and $80 per hour, especially in outpatient oncology or theranostic centers, have the potential for even higher earnings. For instance, those trained in PET/CT at specialized facilities might command rates as high as $95 per hour. In Charlottesville, hourly rates also fluctuate depending on where technologists find employment. Hospitals may offer stable salaries with benefits, while outpatient imaging centers might provide higher hourly pay without such perks. This trade-off can influence career decisions; professionals seeking stability may prefer a lower hourly rate for benefits, while others might negotiate higher pay for more flexible arrangements. Successful negotiations for hourly workers can include highlighting specific skills like PET/CT expertise or theranostics training, which are increasingly valuable in today's job market.
More salary data for Charlottesville, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for nuclear medicine technologists in Charlottesville in 2026?
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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 Charlottesville. 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 Charlottesville 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