Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay in Richland, WA: $55.52 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nuclear medicine technologist working in Richland, WA runs $55.52 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $115,485 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Weighted against Richland's regional price level (BEA RPP 107.4, 7% above national), each hour of work buys what $51.70 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $69,294 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Richland, Washington, nuclear medicine technologists earn a median hourly rate of $55.52, exceeding the national median of $51.15. This competitive pay is especially beneficial for part-time professionals who may work three days a week, allowing for a flexible work-life balance while still earning a respectable income. In addition, per-diem nuclear medicine technologists, often employed in various high-demand settings such as hospital nuclear medicine suites and outpatient imaging centers, can anticipate hourly rates ranging from $42.60 to $71.77, reflecting their experience and the complexity of their roles. Entry-level positions may start at $42.60, while seasoned technologists can reach the upper end of the spectrum, which highlights the substantial earning potential within the field as they gain experience in specialized areas like cardiac stress testing or theranostics.
About the Richland Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($122,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42.60 | $340.83 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46.96 | $375.67 |
| Median (P50) | $55.52 | $444.19 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $63.43 | $507.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $71.77 | $574.17 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Richland
Based on $55.52/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $55.52/hr, a nuclear medicine technologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Richland, WA can expect to earn approximately $115,490 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $66,629. With a cost-of-living index of 107.40 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Richland.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Richland
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,220.95 | $9,624 | $115,490 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,332.57 | $5,774 | $69,294 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $888.38 | $3,850 | $46,196 |
Compare NMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nuclear Medicine Technologist (Richland) | $55.52 |
| 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 Richland, WA earn a median of $115,485 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.54% higher than the national median of $106,398 and 1.10% above the Washington state average of $114,229.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $55.52/hr = $69,294/year (purchasing power: $64,519).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $115,490/year (purchasing power: $107,532).
CoL index: 107.4 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$40.68/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$52.90/hr
2026 Current Est.
$55.52/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Richland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40.68/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $41.53/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $41.10/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $44.51/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $48.27/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $63.66/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $52.90/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55.52/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58.28/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nuclear medicine technologists in Richland grew 30.0% from $40.68/hr (2019) to $52.90/hr (2025). At a 4.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $58.28/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 Richland 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 Richland
For a nuclear medicine technologist working part-time hours totaling around 24 hours a week, annual take-home pay can add up significantly compared to traditional full-time roles. Those opting for per-diem or agency work can command between $55 and $80 per hour, whereas skilled PET/CT technologists might earn between $65 and $95 per hour at oncology centers. In Richland, earnings will also vary depending on the type of employer; hospital nuclear medicine departments and theranostics centers tend to offer higher pay due to the demand for specialized skill sets, such as those required for treatments involving lutetium-177 therapies. However, the choice between higher hourly rates without benefits and stable hourly wages with health insurance coverage is a crucial factor for many technologists. For those negotiating hourly pay, it's effective to emphasize specialized training and experience, particularly in areas like ally diagnostic imaging or emerging theranostic treatments, which are rapidly growing and commanding premium wages.
More salary data for Richland, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for nuclear medicine technologists in Richland in 2026?
How much do part-time nuclear medicine technologists make in Richland?
Are nuclear medicine technologists in Richland paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time nuclear medicine technologist make per year in Richland?
Do nuclear medicine technologists earn more per hour working part-time in Richland?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Washington
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 Richland. 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 Richland 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