Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay in Rapid City, SD: $43.23 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nuclear medicine technologist working in Rapid City, SD runs $43.23 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $89,931 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Weighted against Rapid City's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.8, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $46.59 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $53,955 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Rapid City, South Dakota, the median hourly pay for nuclear medicine technologists is projected to reach $43.23 in 2026. This rate is significantly lower than the national median of $51.15, highlighting a disparity that affects local professionals. For those working part-time or in per-diem roles, such as in hospital nuclear medicine suites, PET/CT imaging centers, or on mobile PET trailers, this pay translates to a variable income based on hours worked. Entry-level technologists can expect to earn around $33.24 per hour, while those at the top of the field might reach $57.67 per hour. These figures provide an essential snapshot of the financial landscape for nuclear medicine technologists in Rapid City, revealing a fairly competitive environment for those entering the profession as well as seasoned professionals.
About the Rapid City Market
Salary estimated from South Dakota average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33.24 | $265.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36.62 | $292.96 |
| Median (P50) | $43.23 | $345.86 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $50.32 | $402.54 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $57.67 | $461.32 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Rapid City
Based on $43.23/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $43.23/hr, a nuclear medicine technologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Rapid City, SD can expect to earn approximately $89,925 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $51,880. With a cost-of-living index of 92.80 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Rapid City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Rapid City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,729.32 | $7,494 | $89,925 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,037.59 | $4,496 | $53,955 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $691.73 | $2,997 | $35,970 |
Compare NMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nuclear Medicine Technologist (Rapid City) | $43.23 |
| 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 Rapid City, SD earn a median of $89,931 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.48% lower than the national median of $106,398 and 1.20% above the South Dakota state average of $88,864.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $43.23/hr = $53,955/year (purchasing power: $58,141).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $89,925/year (purchasing power: $96,902).
CoL index: 92.8 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$31.67/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$41.19/hr
2026 Current Est.
$43.23/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Rapid City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31.67/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $32.34/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $32.00/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $34.66/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $37.59/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $37.01/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $41.19/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $43.23/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $45.38/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nuclear medicine technologists in Rapid City grew 30.0% from $31.67/hr (2019) to $41.19/hr (2025). At a 4.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $45.38/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 Rapid City 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 Rapid City
Consider the practical aspects of earning potential for part-time nuclear medicine technologists, who typically work around 24 hours a week. This schedule can yield an annual income significantly lower than full-time counterparts, especially when factoring in benefits. Contrastingly, per diem nuclear medicine technologist pay in Rapid City ranges from $55 to $80 per hour, with PET/CT specialists in outpatient oncology settings commanding between $65 and $95 per hour, thereby indicating various earning opportunities based on specialty and workplace type. Hospitals, outpatient facilities, and cardiology practices may offer different hourly rates reflective of their budget constraints and staffing needs. Those weighing the option of full-time positions against agency work should consider health benefits versus higher hourly wages in per diem scenarios. Practical negotiation for potential hires could involve emphasizing specialized training, such as qualifications in PET/CT or theranostics, which are increasingly in demand as this field expands within healthcare.
More salary data for Rapid City, SD:
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 Rapid City. 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 Rapid City 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