Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay in Seattle, WA: $67.31 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nuclear medicine technologist working in Seattle, WA runs $67.31 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $139,996 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Weighted against Seattle's regional price level (BEA RPP 111.1, 11% above national), each hour of work buys what $60.57 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $84,004 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Seattle, nuclear medicine technologists earn a median hourly pay of $67.31, significantly higher than the national median of $51.15. This competitive rate translates well for professionals working part-time, such as those on three-day-per-week schedules, which allows them to maintain a balanced work-life dynamic while still earning a substantial income. For per-diem workers in various settings—including hospital nuclear medicine suites, PET/CT imaging centers, and radiopharmacy areas—the hourly compensation can lead to a good living if managed with smart scheduling. The hourly figures indicate a spectrum from $53.88 for entry-level positions to $82.84 for seasoned experts, reflecting the increasing demand for skilled professionals in a city with a burgeoning healthcare landscape.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $53.88 | $431.01 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $57.26 | $458.05 |
| Median (P50) | $67.31 | $538.49 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76.69 | $613.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82.84 | $662.76 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Seattle
Based on $67.31/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $67.31/hr, a nuclear medicine technologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Seattle, WA can expect to earn approximately $140,007 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $80,773. With a cost-of-living index of 111.13 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Seattle.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Seattle
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,692.43 | $11,667 | $140,007 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,615.46 | $7,000 | $84,004 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,076.97 | $4,667 | $56,003 |
Compare NMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nuclear Medicine Technologist (Seattle) | $67.31 |
| 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 Seattle, WA earn a median of $139,996 per year (2026 est.), which is 31.58% higher than the national median of $106,398 and 22.50% above the Washington state average of $114,282.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $67.31/hr = $84,004/year (purchasing power: $75,589).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $140,007/year (purchasing power: $125,981).
CoL index: 111.133 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$48.86/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$64.13/hr
2026 Current Est.
$67.31/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+44.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Seattle (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48.86/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $53.22/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $49.63/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $56.06/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $64.38/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $61.80/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $64.13/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67.31/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70.65/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nuclear medicine technologists in Seattle grew 31.3% from $48.86/hr (2019) to $64.13/hr (2025). At a 4.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $70.65/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 Seattle 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 Seattle
Analyzing the earning potential for nuclear medicine technologists in Seattle reveals a significant disparity between part-time and full-time positions. A 24-hour workweek can yield a respectable income annually, though it may not rival full-time salaries. In the per-diem realm, many technologists find opportunities that pay between $55 and $80 per hour, with specialized PET/CT technologists earning up to $95 per hour at outpatient oncology facilities. The hourly rates can vary greatly depending on the employer; those in hospital settings may face different pay structures than their counterparts in focused theranostics centers or mobile imaging companies. Technologists also weigh the trade-off of accepting lower hourly wages for benefits like health insurance. Knowing the specifics of Seattle's healthcare market can help negotiate better pay, particularly when discussing the unique skills gained from accreditation organizations like the SNMMI-TS and NMTCB that position technologists for increased compensation in these niche areas.
More salary data for Seattle, WA:
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 Seattle. 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