Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay in Portsmouth, VA: $51.08 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nuclear medicine technologist working in Portsmouth, VA runs $51.08 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $106,248 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Weighted against Portsmouth's regional price level (BEA RPP 103.2, 3% above national), each hour of work buys what $49.50 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $63,753 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Nuclear medicine technologists in Portsmouth, VA, earn a median hourly rate of $51.08, closely mirroring the national average of $51.15. This competitive pay greatly benefits those working part-time, such as a technologist on a three-day work week, or individuals taking on per diem roles across various settings, including hospital nuclear medicine suites, outpatient PET/CT imaging centers, and cardiac stress test rooms. For those starting in the field, hourly rates begin around $39.67, while seasoned professionals can command up to $66.67. Since these figures are derived from annual salary estimates, they reflect the earning power in a region grappling with a slightly higher cost of living index at 103.2, making it essential for technologists to consider both the financial and lifestyle aspects of their career choices.
About the Portsmouth 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) | $39.67 | $317.40 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43.60 | $348.80 |
| Median (P50) | $51.08 | $408.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $58.69 | $469.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $66.67 | $533.36 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Portsmouth
Based on $51.08/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $51.08/hr, a nuclear medicine technologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Portsmouth, VA can expect to earn approximately $106,255 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $61,301. With a cost-of-living index of 103.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Portsmouth.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Portsmouth
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,043.36 | $8,855 | $106,255 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,226.02 | $5,313 | $63,753 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $817.34 | $3,542 | $42,502 |
Compare NMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nuclear Medicine Technologist (Portsmouth) | $51.08 |
| 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 Portsmouth, VA earn a median of $106,248 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.14% lower than the national median of $106,398 and 3.20% below the Virginia state average of $109,760.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $51.08/hr = $63,753/year (purchasing power: $61,776).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $106,255/year (purchasing power: $102,960).
CoL index: 103.2 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$37.43/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$48.67/hr
2026 Current Est.
$51.08/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Portsmouth (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37.43/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $38.21/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.81/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $40.95/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $44.41/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $44.17/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $48.67/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51.08/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53.62/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nuclear medicine technologists in Portsmouth grew 30.0% from $37.43/hr (2019) to $48.67/hr (2025). At a 4.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $53.62/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 Portsmouth 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 Portsmouth
Exploring earning potential reveals that a nuclear medicine technologist working 24 hours a week can expect to bring home nearly $53,000 annually, significantly less than their full-time counterparts. Per diem nuclear medicine technologist pay in Portsmouth often ranges from $55 to $80 per hour, while ADHD PET/CT techs find their specialty positions fetch between $65 and $95 per hour. Factors such as employer type and workplace setting greatly influence wages; for instance, theranostics-trained technologists at advanced cancer treatment centers often receive premium pay due to the rising demand for radiopharmaceutical therapies like Pluvicto and Lutathera. Some professionals may opt for lower hourly wages in exchange for comprehensive health benefits, a trade-off considering the benefits of job security. To navigate the local market effectively, those in the field should consider negotiating for favorable hourly rates, especially in environments where specific skills or certifications, such as those from SNMMI-TS or NMTCB, are highly sought after.
More salary data for Portsmouth, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for nuclear medicine technologists in Portsmouth 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 Portsmouth. 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 Portsmouth 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