Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay in Richmond, VA: $49.10 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nuclear medicine technologist working in Richmond, VA runs $49.10 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $102,126 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Weighted against Richmond's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.9, 2% below national), each hour of work buys what $50.18 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $61,277 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Richmond, Virginia, nuclear medicine technologists earn a median hourly rate of $49.10, which positions them slightly below the national median of $51.15. This rate is particularly significant for part-time professionals, who often work three days a week, allowing them to generate a reasonable income while maintaining a desirable work-life balance. For per-diem workers, typically found in hospital settings like nuclear medicine suites or outpatient PET/CT imaging centers, earnings can vary widely. Entry-level positions may begin around $41.84, while experienced technologists can reach as high as $53.79 an hour, reflecting the growing demand for skilled practitioners in this specialization, especially in areas such as theranostics and mobile imaging services. The data presented here is based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41.84 | $334.70 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47.48 | $379.87 |
| Median (P50) | $49.10 | $392.80 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $51.38 | $411.02 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $53.79 | $430.34 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Richmond
Based on $49.10/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $49.10/hr, a nuclear medicine technologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Richmond, VA can expect to earn approximately $102,129 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $58,920. With a cost-of-living index of 97.86 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Richmond.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Richmond
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,964.01 | $8,511 | $102,129 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,178.41 | $5,106 | $61,277 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $785.60 | $3,404 | $40,851 |
Compare NMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nuclear Medicine Technologist (Richmond) | $49.10 |
| 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 Richmond, VA earn a median of $102,126 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.02% lower than the national median of $106,398 and 7.00% below the Virginia state average of $109,813.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $49.10/hr = $61,277/year (purchasing power: $62,618).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $102,129/year (purchasing power: $104,364).
CoL index: 97.858 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$35.30/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$46.78/hr
2026 Current Est.
$49.10/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+46.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Richmond (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35.30/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $36.07/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.24/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $39.73/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $47.88/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $46.08/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $46.78/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49.10/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51.54/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nuclear medicine technologists in Richmond grew 32.5% from $35.30/hr (2019) to $46.78/hr (2025). At a 4.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $51.54/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 Richmond 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 Richmond
Part-time nuclear medicine technologists working in Richmond for 24 hours a week would take home around $61,654 annually, considerably less than their full-time counterparts. The variance in per diem nuclear medicine technologist pay in Richmond can be quite striking; many alone command rates between $55 and $80 an hour depending on the work they perform, such as imaging at outpatient oncology centers where PET/CT techs can earn up to $95 per hour. Different employer types also offer distinct pay structures—hospital departments may provide lower pay but include benefits, while outpatient practices might offer higher hourly rates without additional perks. Negotiation can be crucial for those aiming to optimize their income, as some may prioritize healthcare benefits over higher hourly wages. Understanding the local market and leveraging experiences can help technologists maximize their compensation in various roles throughout the Richmond area.
More salary data for Richmond, VA:
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 Richmond. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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