Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay in Charleston, WV: $43.79 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nuclear medicine technologist working in Charleston, WV runs $43.79 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $91,084 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Weighted against Charleston's regional price level (BEA RPP 88.7, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $49.36 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $54,649 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Charleston, WV, the projected median hourly pay for a nuclear medicine technologist is $43.79, which is notably lower than the national median of $51.15. This pay rate allows nuclear medicine technologists flexibility in their careers, especially for part-time workers. For instance, those working three days a week might earn a substantial income while maintaining a good work-life balance. The hourly range in Charleston varies from an entry-level pay of $33.86 to top earners reaching $51.39, illustrating the potential for advancement in this field. Given the prevalence of settings such as hospital nuclear medicine suites, PET/CT imaging centers, and theranostics infusion suites in Charleston, there are diverse opportunities for technologists to leverage their skills and optimize their pay within the local market.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33.86 | $270.88 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38.39 | $307.15 |
| Median (P50) | $43.79 | $350.31 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $51.39 | $411.11 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $51.39 | $411.11 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Charleston
Based on $43.79/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $43.79/hr, a nuclear medicine technologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Charleston, WV can expect to earn approximately $91,082 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $52,547. With a cost-of-living index of 88.72 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Charleston.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Charleston
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,751.57 | $7,590 | $91,082 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,050.94 | $4,554 | $54,649 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $700.63 | $3,036 | $36,433 |
Compare NMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nuclear Medicine Technologist (Charleston) | $43.79 |
| 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 Charleston, WV earn a median of $91,084 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.39% lower than the national median of $106,398 and 1.00% below the West Virginia state average of $92,004.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $43.79/hr = $54,649/year (purchasing power: $61,599).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $91,082/year (purchasing power: $102,666).
CoL index: 88.717 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$32.08/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$41.72/hr
2026 Current Est.
$43.79/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Charleston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32.08/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $32.76/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $32.41/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $35.11/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $40.03/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.48/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $41.72/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $43.79/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $45.96/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nuclear medicine technologists in Charleston grew 30.0% from $32.08/hr (2019) to $41.72/hr (2025). At a 4.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $45.96/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 Charleston 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 Charleston
While full-time nuclear medicine technologists may find stable annual earnings, those opting for part-time positions can still achieve impressive overall income. A nuclear medicine technologist working a typical schedule of 24 hours a week would see significantly different earnings compared to their full-time counterparts. The per diem nuclear medicine technologist pay in Charleston typically ranges from $55 to $80 per hour, especially for those in high-demand roles like PET/CT imaging in outpatient oncology centers, where rates might reach $65 to $95 per hour. Furthermore, specialized skills in theranostics, particularly with therapies like Lutathera, command premium pricing, making those trained in these areas particularly competitive. The type of employer also impacts pay; hospitals may provide steady salaries but with benefits, while outpatient settings could offer higher hourly pay with fewer benefits. Thus, understanding the trade-offs involved is crucial for technologists working hourly in Charleston. For successful negotiation, emphasizing specialized skills and local market demand can enhance earning potential.
More salary data for Charleston, WV:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for nuclear medicine technologists in Charleston in 2026?
How much do part-time nuclear medicine technologists make in Charleston?
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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 Charleston. 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, 3-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