Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay in La Crosse, WI: $46.18 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nuclear medicine technologist working in La Crosse, WI runs $46.18 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $96,056 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Weighted against La Crosse's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.4, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $49.45 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $57,636 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In La Crosse, Wisconsin, a nuclear medicine technologist can expect an hourly rate of $46.18, which falls below the national median of $51.15. For professionals in this field, this rate translates into various employment configurations, such as part-time or per-diem opportunities, typical in hospital nuclear medicine suites, PET/CT imaging centers, and other specialized areas. An individual working three days per week, which often entails around 24 hours, would face a different income dynamic compared to full-time staff. With an hourly range starting at $35.65 at the entry-level and reaching $60.32 for top earners, there is considerable variability in compensation, especially in specialized settings like cardiac stress test rooms or hot lab radiopharmacy areas.
About the La Crosse Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($90,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35.65 | $285.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38.35 | $306.82 |
| Median (P50) | $46.18 | $369.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $52.99 | $423.95 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $60.32 | $482.56 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in La Crosse
Based on $46.18/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $46.18/hr, a nuclear medicine technologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in La Crosse, WI can expect to earn approximately $96,059 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $55,419. With a cost-of-living index of 93.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in La Crosse.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in La Crosse
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,847.30 | $8,005 | $96,059 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,108.38 | $4,803 | $57,636 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $738.92 | $3,202 | $38,424 |
Compare NMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nuclear Medicine Technologist (La Crosse) | $46.18 |
| 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 La Crosse, WI earn a median of $96,056 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.72% lower than the national median of $106,398 and 3.30% below the Wisconsin state average of $99,334.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $46.18/hr = $57,636/year (purchasing power: $61,708).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $96,059/year (purchasing power: $102,847).
CoL index: 93.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$33.83/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$44.00/hr
2026 Current Est.
$46.18/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in La Crosse (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33.83/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $34.55/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $34.19/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $37.02/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $40.15/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $39.06/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $44.00/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46.18/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $48.47/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nuclear medicine technologists in La Crosse grew 30.0% from $33.83/hr (2019) to $44.00/hr (2025). At a 4.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $48.47/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 La Crosse 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 La Crosse
For those seeking part-time positions, the potential annual income for a nuclear medicine technologist working 3 days per week can result in earnings substantially lower than their full-time counterparts, given the difference in working hours. Per diem nuclear medicine technologists in La Crosse can maximize their earnings, often billing $55 to $80 per hour, with PET/CT technology specialists at outpatient oncology centers earning between $65 and $95 per hour. Compensation also varies significantly with employer type; professionals in hospital settings may earn at the lower end of the scale, while theranostics-trained techs at quaternary cancer centers may command premium rates. Many technologists cautiously weigh the trade-off of accepting lower hourly rates in stable employment against the potential for higher hourly pay without benefits. To ensure competitive compensation, it is advantageous for hourly workers in La Crosse to research salary trends, understand employer offerings, and confidently negotiate based on their qualifications and market demand, particularly as the field expands with emerging technologies like radiopharmaceutical therapies.
More salary data for La Crosse, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for nuclear medicine technologists in La Crosse in 2026?
How much do part-time nuclear medicine technologists make in La Crosse?
Are nuclear medicine technologists in La Crosse paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time nuclear medicine technologist make per year in La Crosse?
Do nuclear medicine technologists earn more per hour working part-time in La Crosse?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Wisconsin
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 La Crosse. 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 La Crosse 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