Entry-Level Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Sioux City, IA: $70,704 (2026)
Quick Answer:New nuclear medicine technologists entering the Sioux City, IA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $70,704 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2033, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Sioux City's local price level (BEA RPP 90.4 — 10% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $78,212 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($92,820) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For new graduates entering the field of nuclear medicine technology in Sioux City, Iowa, initial salary expectations for 2026 are set at around $70,704. This figure represents the lower end of the pay spectrum, reflecting the starting nuclear medicine technologist salary in Sioux City. Prospective technologists may find this entry-level wage significantly lower than the city's median annual salary of $92,820. However, with a projected annual growth rate of 4.96%, newcomers can anticipate gradual salary increases as they gain experience. Within the first three to five years, many entry-level professionals could potentially see their pay rise through different tiers, from the initial P10 up through P25, ultimately approaching or exceeding the median as they develop their skills and credentials.
About the Sioux City Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($84,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Sioux City
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Sioux City
Entry-level nuclear medicine technologists in Sioux City, IA typically start between $70,704 and $78,119 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $48,880 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $92,820 — 12.76% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average nuclear medicine program cost in Iowa of $26,000 represents just 36.77% of the starting nuclear medicine technologist pay ($70,704/year) in Sioux City. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on JRCNMT-accredited nuclear medicine technology program data. Available as associate degree, bachelor's degree, or post-primary certificate pathways. Tuition-only averages; actual costs vary significantly by institution type.
NMT Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Sioux City
- 1Research the Sioux City market: entry-level nuclear medicine technologist pay ranges from $70,704 to $78,119, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the nuclear medicine field — employers in IA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Sioux City, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Sioux City for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Sioux City's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Compensation Range
The nuclear medicine technologist wage spread in Sioux City is $48,880 ( 69.13%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $70,704, experienced hygienists can earn up to $119,584.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$48,797
2025 BLS Actual
$67,363
2026 Current Est.
$70,704
2019–2027 Growth
+52.1%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Sioux City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,797 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,892 | Actual |
| 2021 | $52,239 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,802 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,788 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,924 | Actual |
| 2025 | $67,363 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $70,704 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $74,211 | Projected |
Entry-level nuclear medicine technologist compensation (10th percentile) in Sioux City, IA grew 38.0% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $48,797 in 2019 to $67,363 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $74,211. New graduates entering the Sioux City job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sioux City 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.
Starting Your nuclear medicine Career in Sioux City
In Sioux City, a variety of employers seek to hire new graduates for nuclear medicine positions. Primarily, hospital nuclear medicine departments provide opportunities with the added benefit of paid PET/CT cross-training, which is critical for advancing one's career. Outpatient imaging facilities may also recruit candidates who have achieved pre-credentialing for PET techs, while theranostics centers often require several years of experience before considering applicants. To enhance starting pay in Iowa, prospective technologists should pursue credentials from JRCNMT-accredited programs and obtain NMTCB or ARRT(N) certification, as well as state licensing. Furthermore, cross-training in CT could position new grads favorably in a market where PET/CT and theranostics are rapidly expanding, thus unlocking opportunities for higher salaries. Career strategies focusing on these in-demand specializations can lead to significant growth in the first few years, making Sioux City a promising environment for entry-level technologists aiming to build their careers.
More salary data for Sioux City, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new nuclear medicine graduates. A 4.96% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Sioux City. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Sioux City 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