Radiologic Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay in Lexington, KY: $40.00 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a radiologic technologist and technician working in Lexington, KY runs $40.00 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $83,190 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2034). Weighted against Lexington's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.9, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $43.06 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $49,920 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In Lexington, KY, radiologic technologists and technicians can expect to earn a median hourly pay of $40.00. This figure is slightly below the national hourly median of $40.55, highlighting a competitive yet slightly constrained local market. For part-time workers scheduled three days a week, accruing a total of 24 hours, the financial benefit translates to a solid income while maintaining work-life balance. Additionally, per-diem positions in settings such as outpatient imaging centers, urgent care X-ray rooms, and mobile X-ray units offer significant earning potential, as these roles typically fall within the hourly range of $26.89 to $50.52. Entry-level professionals might start closer to the lower end of this scale, while experienced technologists can command rates at the upper end, ensuring a broad spectrum of compensation opportunities across the profession. This information is based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Radiologic Technologist and Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $26.89 | $215.13 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $31.42 | $251.35 |
| Median (P50) | $40.00 | $320.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $45.12 | $360.93 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $50.52 | $404.15 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lexington
Based on $40.00/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $40.00/hr, a radiologic technologist and technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lexington, KY can expect to earn approximately $83,199 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $48,000. With a cost-of-living index of 92.89 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lexington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lexington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,599.99 | $6,933 | $83,199 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $959.99 | $4,160 | $49,920 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $639.99 | $2,773 | $33,280 |
Compare RT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Radiologic Technologist and Technician (Lexington) | $40.00 |
| 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 Lexington, KY earn a median of $83,190 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.37% lower than the national median of $84,348 and 4.50% above the Kentucky state average of $79,607.
Radiologic Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $40.00/hr = $49,920/year (purchasing power: $53,741).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $83,199/year (purchasing power: $89,569).
CoL index: 92.889 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.14/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$37.99/hr
2026 Current Est.
$40.00/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+67.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Radiologic Technologists and Technicians in Lexington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.29% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.14/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.07/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.58/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.78/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $31.65/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $32.91/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $37.99/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40.00/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42.12/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for radiologic technologists and technicians in Lexington grew 51.1% from $25.14/hr (2019) to $37.99/hr (2025). At a 5.29% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $42.12/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 Lexington 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 Lexington
For radiologic technologists and technicians looking towards part-time opportunities, the financial implications are substantial. A professional working 24 hours a week can expect to take home around $49,920 annually, a figure that contrasts significantly with full-time earnings. As per-diem or agency workers enter the field, the reality of their earning potential becomes clearer. These professionals often find themselves billing between $40 and $60 per hour, with those who are cross-trained in modalities such as CT or MRI reaching rates as high as $50 to $75 per hour. Traveling radiologic technologist contracts can also yield lucrative pay, often between $1,800 and $2,800 per week. Specific employer types in Lexington, from hospital imaging departments to orthopedic practices, offer varied hourly rates that reflect the trade-offs between benefits and pay. Those accepting lower hourly wages might do so to secure health insurance, while others may prefer the flexibility of higher pay without benefits. Negotiating effectively within Lexington's job market can make a significant difference for hourly workers, with a focus on articulating skills and certification, particularly in modality cross-training, ensuring competitiveness in a changing landscape.
More salary data for Lexington, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for radiologic technologists and technicians in Lexington in 2026?
How much do part-time radiologic technologists and technicians make in Lexington?
Are radiologic technologists and technicians in Lexington paid hourly or salary?
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Do radiologic technologists and technicians earn more per hour working part-time in Lexington?
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Career Resources
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 Lexington. 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