Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay in Herndon, VA: $49.45 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nuclear medicine technologist working in Herndon, VA runs $49.45 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $102,856 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Weighted against Herndon's regional price level (BEA RPP 103.2, 3% above national), each hour of work buys what $47.91 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $61,709 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Nuclear medicine technologists in Herndon, VA, can expect a median hourly pay of $49.45, which falls slightly below the national median of $51.15. This hourly rate allows for substantial earnings for part-time workers, who might find themselves employed for three days a week in hospital nuclear medicine suites, outpatient PET/CT imaging centers, and various other settings. For those interested in per-diem and locum work, the flexible schedule can lead to billing rates that vary from $42.31 at entry-level positions to approximately $59.64 for advanced roles. This wide hourly range reflects the diversity of work environments and patient care settings in which nuclear medicine technologists operate. Understanding these figures helps prospective technologists gauge potential hourly wages derived from wider annual salary estimates.
About the Herndon 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) | $42.31 | $338.48 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44.70 | $357.62 |
| Median (P50) | $49.45 | $395.57 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $54.35 | $434.79 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $59.64 | $477.11 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Herndon
Based on $49.45/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $49.45/hr, a nuclear medicine technologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Herndon, VA can expect to earn approximately $102,849 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $59,336. With a cost-of-living index of 103.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Herndon.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Herndon
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,977.87 | $8,571 | $102,849 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,186.72 | $5,142 | $61,709 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $791.15 | $3,428 | $41,140 |
Compare NMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nuclear Medicine Technologist (Herndon) | $49.45 |
| 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 Herndon, VA earn a median of $102,856 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.33% lower than the national median of $106,398 and 6.30% below the Virginia state average of $109,771.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $49.45/hr = $61,709/year (purchasing power: $59,796).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $102,849/year (purchasing power: $99,660).
CoL index: 103.2 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$36.23/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$47.11/hr
2026 Current Est.
$49.45/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Herndon (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36.23/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $36.99/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $36.60/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $39.64/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $42.99/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $42.76/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $47.11/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49.45/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51.90/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nuclear medicine technologists in Herndon grew 30.0% from $36.23/hr (2019) to $47.11/hr (2025). At a 4.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $51.90/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 Herndon 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 Herndon
Part-time nuclear medicine technologists working three days a week typically bring home around $61,440 annually, a robust income but significantly less than their full-time counterparts. Per diem nuclear medicine technologist pay in Herndon often reflects a broader range of $55 to $80 per hour, especially in high-demand areas like outpatient oncology centers, where PET/CT technicians can earn between $65 and $95 per hour. Variations in hourly rates can also depend on employer types—hospital departments, outpatient facilities, and VA medical centers. The decision for many professionals to accept lower rates with benefits versus higher wages without them becomes a practical consideration when selecting positions. For those negotiating their pay, understanding the local market and the growing demand for thermotherapy in places like Herndon can significantly aid their discussions about hourly pay, particularly as emerging practices like theranostics gain traction.
More salary data for Herndon, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for nuclear medicine technologists in Herndon in 2026?
How much do part-time nuclear medicine technologists make in Herndon?
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How much does a full-time nuclear medicine technologist make per year in Herndon?
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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 Herndon. 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 Herndon 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