Entry-Level Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Wisconsin Rapids, WI: $75,077 (2026)
Quick Answer:New nuclear medicine technologists entering the Wisconsin Rapids, WI job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $75,077 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2033, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Wisconsin Rapids's local price level (BEA RPP 93.4 — 7% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $80,382 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($91,116) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Wisconsin Rapids, the starting nuclear medicine technologist salary for entry-level positions is expected to be around $75,077 in 2026. This figure represents a gap from the city median annual salary of $91,116, which can be a useful benchmark for new graduates assessing their earning potential. As entry-level professionals gain experience, opportunities exist for salary advancement, with projections indicating movement toward the $77,938 level (P25) within the first few years. Given the projected 4.96% annual growth rate and the employing landscape, Wisconsin Rapids seems favorable for recent graduates, providing a pathway to establish a career in this growing field.
About the Wisconsin Rapids Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($90,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Wisconsin Rapids
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 Wisconsin Rapids
Entry-level nuclear medicine technologists in Wisconsin Rapids, WI typically start between $75,077 and $77,938 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $36,638 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $91,116 — 14.36% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average nuclear medicine program cost in Wisconsin of $30,000 represents just 39.96% of the starting nuclear medicine technologist pay ($75,077/year) in Wisconsin Rapids. 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 Wisconsin Rapids
- 1Research the Wisconsin Rapids market: entry-level nuclear medicine technologist pay ranges from $75,077 to $77,938, 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 Wisconsin Rapids, 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 Wisconsin Rapids for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Wisconsin Rapids'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 Wisconsin Rapids is $36,638 ( 48.80%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $75,077, experienced hygienists can earn up to $111,715.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$51,815
2025 BLS Actual
$71,529
2026 Current Est.
$75,077
2019–2027 Growth
+52.1%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Wisconsin Rapids (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51,815 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,978 | Actual |
| 2021 | $55,470 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,253 | Actual |
| 2023 | $63,486 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,217 | Actual |
| 2025 | $71,529 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $75,077 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $78,801 | Projected |
Entry-level nuclear medicine technologist compensation (10th percentile) in Wisconsin Rapids, WI grew 38.0% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $51,815 in 2019 to $71,529 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $78,801. New graduates entering the Wisconsin Rapids job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wisconsin Rapids 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 Wisconsin Rapids
Several employers in Wisconsin Rapids actively seek new graduates to fill nuclear medicine technologist roles, with most opportunities coming from hospital nuclear medicine departments that frequently offer paid PET/CT cross-training. Outpatient imaging chains tend to recruit pre-credentialed technologists, while theranostics centers often require more experience before considering candidates. For those joining the field, holding a JRCNMT-accredited program degree, obtaining national credentialing from the NMTCB or ARRT(N), and pursuing state licensing can enhance starting pay. Additionally, completion of CT cross-training and radiation safety courses can further elevate potential earnings. In the first few years, professionals focusing on PET/CT and theranostics may find the fastest growth and increased compensation, while those remaining solely within SPECT roles could face diminishing opportunities as the market evolves.
More salary data for Wisconsin Rapids, WI:
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 Wisconsin Rapids. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Wisconsin Rapids 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