Entry-Level Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Plymouth, MN: $76,057 (2026)
Quick Answer:New nuclear medicine technologists entering the Plymouth, MN job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $76,057 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2033, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Plymouth's local price level (BEA RPP 98.5 — 1% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $77,215 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($103,716) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For those entering the field of nuclear medicine technology in Plymouth, Minnesota, the starting nuclear medicine technologist salary is projected to be around $76,057 in 2026. This figure represents the lower end of the pay scale, significantly below the city median salary of $103,716. New graduates can realistically expect growth in their salaries as they gain experience; over the first three to five years, many will find their pay increasing towards the 25th percentile mark of $91,301. With a balanced cost of living index at 98.5, Plymouth offers a favorable environment for new technologists to begin their careers, making it an attractive option for those just graduating from accredited programs.
About the Plymouth Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($100,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Plymouth
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 Plymouth
Entry-level nuclear medicine technologists in Plymouth, MN typically start between $76,057 and $91,301 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $57,664 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $103,716 — 2.52% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average nuclear medicine program cost in Minnesota of $38,000 represents just 49.96% of the starting nuclear medicine technologist pay ($76,057/year) in Plymouth. 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 Plymouth
- 1Research the Plymouth market: entry-level nuclear medicine technologist pay ranges from $76,057 to $91,301, 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 MN often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Plymouth, 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 Plymouth for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Plymouth's moderate 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 Plymouth is $57,664 ( 75.82%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $76,057, experienced hygienists can earn up to $133,721.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$52,491
2025 BLS Actual
$72,463
2026 Current Est.
$76,057
2019–2027 Growth
+52.1%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Plymouth (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,491 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,670 | Actual |
| 2021 | $56,194 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,027 | Actual |
| 2023 | $64,315 | Actual |
| 2024 | $72,329 | Actual |
| 2025 | $72,463 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $76,057 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $79,830 | Projected |
Entry-level nuclear medicine technologist compensation (10th percentile) in Plymouth, MN grew 38.0% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $52,491 in 2019 to $72,463 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $79,830. New graduates entering the Plymouth job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Plymouth 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 Plymouth
In terms of employment opportunities, various facilities in Plymouth are actively hiring new graduates in nuclear medicine technology. Major hospitals often recruit for their nuclear medicine departments, especially candidates who have undergone paid PET/CT cross-training. Outpatient PET imaging chains typically look for pre-credentialed PET technologists, while theranostics centers may prefer applicants with 3-5 years of PET/CT experience. To enhance starting pay, obtaining national certification from organizations such as the NMTCB or ARRT(N), along with a state license, is essential. Furthermore, cross-training in CT (such as NMTCB-CT or ARRT-CT) and knowledge of radiation safety can be advantageous. As the demand for PET/CT and theranostics, particularly for therapies like Pluvicto and Lutathera, continues to rise, entry-level professionals can realistically anticipate salary growth that aligns with the expanding market. The trend suggests new grads can expect compounding increases as they progress in their early careers, particularly in these high-demand areas of nuclear medicine.
More salary data for Plymouth, MN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for nuclear medicine technologists in Plymouth in 2026?
How fast do nuclear medicine technologist salaries grow in Plymouth?
Is nuclear medicine school worth it in Plymouth?
What do new nuclear medicine technologists make right out of school in Plymouth?
How do I become a nuclear medicine technologist in Minnesota?
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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 Plymouth. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Plymouth 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