Radiologic Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay in Paducah, KY: $38.06 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a radiologic technologist and technician working in Paducah, KY runs $38.06 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $79,178 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2034). Weighted against Paducah's regional price level (BEA RPP 86.1, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $44.22 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $47,502 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

Radiologic technologists and technicians in Paducah, Kentucky, can expect a median hourly rate of $38.06 as projected for 2026, which is slightly lower than the national median hourly wage of $40.55. This rate translates well for part-time professionals working three days a week in various settings such as hospital imaging suites, outpatient centers, and mobile X-ray environments. With an hourly range spanning from $26.32 for entry-level positions to $50.48 for seasoned experts, individuals in this field can consider different work arrangements, including per-diem opportunities. Such versatile employment options make this profession appealing for workers seeking flexibility while contributing to a healthcare environment.
Radiologic Technologist and Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $26.32 | $210.58 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $31.18 | $249.41 |
| Median (P50) | $38.06 | $304.50 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $44.20 | $353.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $50.48 | $403.81 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Paducah
Based on $38.06/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $38.06/hr, a radiologic technologist and technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Paducah, KY can expect to earn approximately $79,170 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $45,675. With a cost-of-living index of 86.08 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Paducah.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Paducah
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,522.49 | $6,597 | $79,170 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $913.50 | $3,958 | $47,502 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $609.00 | $2,639 | $31,668 |
Compare RT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Radiologic Technologist and Technician (Paducah) | $38.06 |
| 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 Paducah, KY earn a median of $79,178 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.13% lower than the national median of $84,348 and 0.60% below the Kentucky state average of $79,656.
Radiologic Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $38.06/hr = $47,502/year (purchasing power: $55,181).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $79,170/year (purchasing power: $91,968).
CoL index: 86.084 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$27.31/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$36.15/hr
2026 Current Est.
$38.06/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+46.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Radiologic Technologists and Technicians in Paducah (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.29% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.31/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.93/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $27.69/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.39/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $33.13/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.83/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $36.15/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38.06/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40.08/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for radiologic technologists and technicians in Paducah grew 32.4% from $27.31/hr (2019) to $36.15/hr (2025). At a 5.29% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $40.08/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 Paducah 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 Paducah
Examining the financial outlook for part-time radiologic technologists and technicians paints a different picture than full-time roles. A part-time worker scheduling 24 hours weekly can earn a substantial income but will take home less annually than full-time staff. Depending on their chosen work modality, per diem rates can be quite lucrative, often ranging from $40-$60 per hour, with cross-trained specialists in CT or MRI potentially reaching $50-$75 per hour. Agencies or travel contracts can yield even higher pay, sometimes equating to $1,800 to $2,800 weekly for assignments. Hourly compensation also varies by type of employer, with positions in hospital imaging departments generally providing lower pay than private outpatient centers. Many professionals face the trade-off of slightly lower hourly wages for the benefits associated with traditional employment versus higher pay without health insurance. When negotiating terms, it's prudent for Paducah's radiologic tech workers to emphasize their unique skills and consider both immediate pay and longer-term benefits to maximize their earnings potential.
More salary data for Paducah, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for radiologic technologists and technicians in Paducah in 2026?
How much do part-time radiologic technologists and technicians make in Paducah?
Are radiologic technologists and technicians in Paducah paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time radiologic technologist and technician make per year in Paducah?
Do radiologic technologists and technicians earn more per hour working part-time in Paducah?
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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 Paducah. 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, 2-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