Radiologic Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay in Lakeland, FL: $34.88 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a radiologic technologist and technician working in Lakeland, FL runs $34.88 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $72,555 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2034). Weighted against Lakeland's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $35.91 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $43,533 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Radiologic technologists and technicians in Lakeland, Florida, can expect a median hourly rate of $34.88 in 2026, which is lower than the national hourly median of $40.55. This disparity has implications for part-time workers, such as those who may work three days a week, allowing for flexible schedules while earning competitive pay in various settings like hospital imaging suites, outpatient centers, or urgent care facilities. The hourly wage in Lakeland ranges from $26.36 for entry-level positions to $42.43 for experienced technologists, reflecting the diversity of roles and responsibilities in the field. The figures cited are sourced from the official projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Radiologic Technologist and Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $26.36 | $210.92 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $31.10 | $248.82 |
| Median (P50) | $34.88 | $279.06 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $41.51 | $332.04 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $42.43 | $339.45 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lakeland
Based on $34.88/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $34.88/hr, a radiologic technologist and technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lakeland, FL can expect to earn approximately $72,556 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $41,859. With a cost-of-living index of 97.14 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lakeland.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lakeland
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,395.30 | $6,046 | $72,556 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $837.18 | $3,628 | $43,533 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $558.12 | $2,419 | $29,022 |
Compare RT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Radiologic Technologist and Technician (Lakeland) | $34.88 |
| MRI Technologist (National Avg) | $40.93 |
| Nuclear Medicine Technologist (National Avg) | $46.68 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (National Avg) | $42.41 |
| Respiratory Therapist (National Avg) | $37.72 |
Radiologic Technologist and Technicians in Lakeland, FL earn a median of $72,555 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.98% lower than the national median of $84,348 and 4.10% below the Florida state average of $75,657.
Radiologic Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $34.88/hr = $43,533/year (purchasing power: $44,815).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $72,556/year (purchasing power: $74,691).
CoL index: 97.141 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$28.56/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$33.13/hr
2026 Current Est.
$34.88/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Radiologic Technologists and Technicians in Lakeland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.29% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28.56/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $28.87/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.12/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.73/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.78/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $31.97/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $33.13/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $34.88/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $36.73/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for radiologic technologists and technicians in Lakeland grew 16.0% from $28.56/hr (2019) to $33.13/hr (2025). At a 5.29% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $36.73/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem radiologic technologists and technicians can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lakeland 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 5.29% 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 Radiologic Technologist and Technician in Lakeland
When considering part-time work, a radiologic technologist and technician employed three days a week typically earns considerably less annually compared to their full-time counterparts. For those exploring per diem work in Lakeland, daily rates often fall between $40 and $60 per hour, particularly for specialized roles like CT or MRI technologists, who can command rates as high as $75 an hour. Moreover, travel contracts have become an attractive option, with technologists in high-demand modalities earning weekly pay ranging from $1,800 to $2,800. However, the type of employer significantly impacts hourly rates; hospitals might offer better benefits, while mobile X-ray services can offer higher pay but fewer perks. It's crucial for professionals in this field to weigh the trade-offs between hourly pay and benefits when making career decisions in Lakeland, and to consider negotiating rates based on their specialized skills and training, particularly in light of the industry's evolving landscape.
More salary data for Lakeland, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for radiologic technologists and technicians in Lakeland in 2026?
How much do part-time radiologic technologists and technicians make in Lakeland?
Are radiologic technologists and technicians in Lakeland paid hourly or salary?
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Do radiologic technologists and technicians earn more per hour working part-time in Lakeland?
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Written by Jordan Lee, RT(R), RT(TM)
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has over 10 years of experience in radiologic technology. They specialize in mammography and work in an outpatient imaging center.
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 5.29% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for radiologic technologists and technicians in Lakeland. 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 5.29%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for radiologic technologist and technicians (SOC 29-2034).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, RT(R), RT(TM), a licensed radiologic technologist and technician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov