Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay in Fort Dodge, IA: $40.67 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nuclear medicine technologist working in Fort Dodge, IA runs $40.67 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $84,591 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Weighted against Fort Dodge's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $44.99 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $50,759 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Fort Dodge, Iowa, nuclear medicine technologists earn a median hourly rate of $40.67. This figure is significantly lower than the national median hourly pay of $51.15, implying a salary gap that may impact local professionals. For part-time workers who typically operate three days a week, or for those seeking per-diem opportunities, this hourly rate provides a solid foundation. Working in various settings such as hospital nuclear medicine suites, PET/CT imaging centers, and theranostics infusion suites can yield earnings ranging from $33.55 at the entry-level to $49.86 for those at the top of the pay scale. While the median hourly pay reflects estimates derived from annual salary data, it frames the remuneration landscape for nuclear medicine technologists in this region.
About the Fort Dodge Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($84,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33.55 | $268.36 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $35.76 | $286.08 |
| Median (P50) | $40.67 | $325.38 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46.14 | $369.12 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $49.86 | $398.85 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Fort Dodge
Based on $40.67/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $40.67/hr, a nuclear medicine technologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Fort Dodge, IA can expect to earn approximately $84,598 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $48,806. With a cost-of-living index of 90.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Fort Dodge.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Fort Dodge
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,626.88 | $7,050 | $84,598 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $976.13 | $4,230 | $50,759 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $650.75 | $2,820 | $33,839 |
Compare NMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nuclear Medicine Technologist (Fort Dodge) | $40.67 |
| Radiologic Technologist (National Avg) | $35.27 |
| MRI Technologist (National Avg) | $40.93 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (National Avg) | $42.41 |
| Radiation Therapist (National Avg) | $48.35 |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Fort Dodge, IA earn a median of $84,591 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.50% lower than the national median of $106,398 and 8.20% below the Iowa state average of $92,148.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $40.67/hr = $50,759/year (purchasing power: $56,149).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $84,598/year (purchasing power: $93,582).
CoL index: 90.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$29.80/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$38.75/hr
2026 Current Est.
$40.67/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Fort Dodge (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29.80/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $30.42/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $30.11/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $32.61/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $35.36/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $33.51/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $38.75/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40.67/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42.69/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nuclear medicine technologists in Fort Dodge grew 30.0% from $29.80/hr (2019) to $38.75/hr (2025). At a 4.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $42.69/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem nuclear medicine technologists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fort Dodge 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.
Working as an Hourly Nuclear Medicine Technologist in Fort Dodge
For a nuclear medicine technologist working part-time, the yearly income from a 24-hour workweek would amount to approximately $52,978, which is significantly lower than what full-time employees might bring home. Per-diem nuclear medicine technologist pay in Fort Dodge can be quite lucrative, with professionals billing up to $55-$80 an hour, particularly in outpatient oncology centers where PET/CT imaging is prevalent. Theranostics-trained technologists can expect to command even higher rates, especially at advanced cancer centers. The choice of employer significantly influences hourly earnings in Fort Dodge, with hospital departments, outpatient imaging centers, and mobile imaging companies yielding different compensation structures. Many professionals must weigh the benefits of stable employment with health insurance against the potentially higher hourly rates offered in contract roles. Negotiating effectively for hourly pay can hinge on understanding these dynamics and demonstrating proficiency, particularly in high-growth specialties like theranostics and PET/CT imaging.
More salary data for Fort Dodge, 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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 4.96% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for nuclear medicine technologists in Fort Dodge. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Fort Dodge 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