Entry-Level Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in St. Cloud, MN: $76,688 (2026)
Quick Answer:New nuclear medicine technologists entering the St. Cloud, MN job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $76,688 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2033, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out St. Cloud's local price level (BEA RPP 98.5 — 1% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $77,856 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($104,031) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, new graduates seeking to enter the field of nuclear medicine technology in St. Cloud, Minnesota, can expect a starting salary of approximately $76,688, a benchmark that is notably lower than the city's median annual salary of $104,031. This initial pay is reflective of the challenges faced by entry-level professionals in establishing themselves in the healthcare marketplace. However, there is a promising trajectory for salary growth within the first few years, as early-career technologists often find themselves earning around $91,958 by gaining experience and developing their skills. Overall, St. Cloud presents a solid job market for new nuclear medicine technologist graduates, especially as the region's healthcare landscape continues to expand.
About the St. Cloud Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($100,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in St. Cloud
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 St. Cloud
Entry-level nuclear medicine technologists in St. Cloud, MN typically start between $76,688 and $91,958 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $64,414 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $104,031 — 2.22% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average nuclear medicine program cost in Minnesota of $38,000 represents just 49.55% of the starting nuclear medicine technologist pay ($76,688/year) in St. Cloud. 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 St. Cloud
- 1Research the St. Cloud market: entry-level nuclear medicine technologist pay ranges from $76,688 to $91,958, 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 St. Cloud, 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 St. Cloud for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5St. Cloud'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 St. Cloud is $64,414 ( 83.99%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $76,688, experienced hygienists can earn up to $141,102.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$52,926
2025 BLS Actual
$73,064
2026 Current Est.
$76,688
2019–2027 Growth
+52.1%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in St. Cloud (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,926 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,115 | Actual |
| 2021 | $56,660 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,525 | Actual |
| 2023 | $64,848 | Actual |
| 2024 | $72,924 | Actual |
| 2025 | $73,064 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $76,688 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $80,492 | Projected |
Entry-level nuclear medicine technologist compensation (10th percentile) in St. Cloud, MN grew 38.0% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $52,926 in 2019 to $73,064 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $80,492. New graduates entering the St. Cloud job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the St. Cloud 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 St. Cloud
Hiring within St. Cloud leans heavily towards healthcare facilities, where many employers actively recruit entry-level positions for nuclear medicine technologists. Local hospitals typically provide significant opportunities for new grads, especially those who have received paid cross-training in PET/CT, which is increasingly in demand due to emerging technologies in theranostics. Outpatient imaging centers have also been known to seek pre-credentialed techs, making them attractive options for new graduates. To boost starting pay in Minnesota, having a strong academic foundation from a JRCNMT-accredited program, along with NMTCB or ARRT(N) certification, is essential. Additionally, those who pursue cross-training in CT can significantly enhance their marketability. With PET/CT imaging and theranostics on the rise, new technologists can anticipate more favorable salary increases during their first 1-3 years, especially if they align their skills with current industry trends.
More salary data for St. Cloud, MN:
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 St. Cloud. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for St. Cloud 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