Nuclear Med Tech Salary

Entry-Level Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Platteville, WI: $79,477 (2026)

Quick Answer:New nuclear medicine technologists entering the Platteville, WI job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $79,477 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2033, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Platteville's local price level (BEA RPP 93.47% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $85,093 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($92,864) within a few years of clinical practice.

$79,477
Starting Salary
$38.21/hr
Starting Hourly
$79,477
Entry Level
$92,864
Career Median Target

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Nuclear Medicine Technologist Entry Level Salary in Platteville, WI — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Platteville, WI nuclear medicine technologist entry level salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

New graduates entering the field of nuclear medicine in Platteville can expect an entry-level salary of around $79,477 in 2026. This figure is somewhat lower than the city's overall median of $92,864, indicating a gap that new technologists can bridge with experience and further qualifications. As technologists progress in their careers, salaries have the potential to rise significantly; early professionals might see their compensation reach approximately $81,585 before climbing to the median income as they gain valuable experience. With a growth rate of 4.96% annually forecasted for this field, those starting their careers in Platteville could find solid opportunities for salary advancement, making this a suitable market for new graduates eager to establish themselves in nuclear medicine.

About the Platteville Market

Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($90,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Career Earnings Timeline in Platteville

Year 0-2

New Graduate

$79,477/yr
Year 2-5

Early Career

$81,585/yr
Year 5-10

Mid Career

$92,864/yr
Year 10+

Experienced

$105,368/yr

Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Platteville

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for nuclear medicine technologists in Platteville. The median salary is $92,864, compared to the national median of $106,398.$71.5K$84.3K$97.1K$109.9K$122.7K$79.5K10th Pctl$81.6K25th Pctl$92.9KMedian$105.4K75th Pctl$116.9K90th PctlUS Median$106.4K

Entry-level nuclear medicine technologists in Platteville, WI typically start between $79,477 and $81,585 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $37,427 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $92,86412.72% below the national median.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of nuclear medicine technologist pay in the Platteville metro area.

Return on Investment

$30,000
Avg WI Program Cost
$79,477
Starting Salary
37.75%
Cost-to-Salary Ratio
<1 yr
Payback Estimate

The average nuclear medicine program cost in Wisconsin of $30,000 represents just 37.75% of the starting nuclear medicine technologist pay ($79,477/year) in Platteville. 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 Platteville

  • 1Research the Platteville market: entry-level nuclear medicine technologist pay ranges from $79,477 to $81,585, 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 WI often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
  • 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Platteville, 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 Platteville for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
  • 5Platteville'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 Platteville is $37,427 ( 47.09%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $79,477, experienced hygienists can earn up to $116,904.

Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.

2019 BLS Actual

$54,851

2025 BLS Actual

$75,721

2026 Current Est.

$79,477

2019–2027 Growth

+52.1%

Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Platteville (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for nuclear medicine technologists in Platteville. Baseline $54,851 in 2025, projected to $83,419 by 2027.$49.1K$59.1K$69.1K$79.1K$89.1K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$54.9K$56.1K$58.7K$62.7K$67.2K$68.0K$75.7K$79.5K$83.4K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$54,851Actual
2020$56,083Actual
2021$58,721Actual
2022$62,726Actual
2023$67,206Actual
2024$67,952Actual
2025$75,721Actual
2026(current)$79,477Estimated
2027$83,419Projected

Entry-level nuclear medicine technologist compensation (10th percentile) in Platteville, WI grew 38.0% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $54,851 in 2019 to $75,721 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $83,419. New graduates entering the Platteville job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Platteville metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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 Platteville

Employers in Platteville primarily hiring entry-level nuclear medicine technologists include local hospitals, which often offer valuable opportunities for PET/CT cross-training. Organizations that focus on outpatient PET imaging typically seek pre-credentialed PET technologists, while theranostics centers are more likely to require several years of PET/CT experience before hiring. To boost starting pay in Wisconsin, graduates should pursue JRCNMT-accredited programs resulting in associate's or bachelor's degrees, obtain national certification from the NMTCB or ARRT(N), and secure relevant state licensure. Additional credentials like radiation safety training and CT cross-training (through NMTCB-CT or ARRT-CT) can enhance a candidate's appeal in an increasingly competitive job market. Given the rapid growth of PET/CT and theranostics, professionals should strategically plan their early years to capitalize on these high-demand segments, as roles focused solely on SPECT are declining and could affect salary trajectories in the long term.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the starting salary for nuclear medicine technologists in Platteville in 2026?

Entry-level nuclear medicine technologists in Platteville start at approximately $79,477/year (10th percentile), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 4.96% annual growth). This is the typical range for new graduates with less than 1 year of clinical experience. The starting hourly equivalent is approximately $38.21/hour for full-time work. Starting pay depends on the practice type (private vs. large organization), patient volume, location within the metro area, and whether the position includes benefits.

How fast do nuclear medicine technologist salaries grow in Platteville?

Most nuclear medicine technologists in Platteville progress from the entry-level salary of $79,477 to the area median of $92,864 within 3–5 years of clinical experience. Top earners with specializations and certifications reach $116,904 (90th percentile). The biggest salary jumps typically come in years 2–5 as clinical skills develop, and again when obtaining advanced certifications or expanded-function credentials. Salary growth after 10 years tends to plateau unless moving into management or education roles.

Is nuclear medicine school worth it in Platteville?

With a starting salary of $79,477/year in Platteville and typical program costs ranging from $20,000–$80,000 for the required degree, graduates can expect a strong return on investment. Most new nuclear medicine technologists recoup their tuition within 1–3 years of working full-time. The profession also offers excellent work-life balance, flexible scheduling, low unemployment rates, and growing demand driven by an aging population's care needs.

What do new nuclear medicine technologists make right out of school in Platteville?

New nuclear medicine graduates in Platteville typically start near the 10th percentile at $79,477/year, or approximately $38.21/hour. Starting pay varies based on the practice type, patient volume, geographic location within the metro area, and whether the compensation package includes benefits like health insurance and retirement contributions. Graduates with internships at high-production practices often secure higher starting offers.

How do I become a nuclear medicine technologist in Wisconsin?

To become a licensed nuclear medicine technologist in Wisconsin, you typically need an associate degree or bachelor's degree in nuclear medicine technology is required., then pass the required national and state licensing examinations. Most states, including Wisconsin, also require a clinical licensing exam. After obtaining licensure, you must maintain it through continuing education credits. Some nuclear medicine technologists pursue advanced degrees for career advancement into education, research, or public health roles.

Related Pages

Nearby Cities in Wisconsin

AC

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.

Clinically reviewed by David Martinez, BS, CNMTData verified by Fatima Nasir, MS, CNMT

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 Platteville. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.

Data Sources & Methodology

Salary data for Platteville is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

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

Last verified: