Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Bettendorf, IA: $88,043 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Bettendorf, IA earns a median $88,043/year (≈ $42.33/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Bettendorf's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $97,393 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.5% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected median salary for a nuclear medicine technologist in Bettendorf, Iowa, is $88,043, which reflects a notable difference compared to the national median of $106,398. This local figure falls within a salary range of $71,683 at the 10th percentile up to $115,916 at the 90th percentile, showcasing the variance in earning potential based on experience and specialization. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost factors, highlight the growing significance of theranostics within the local job market. As nuclear medicine technologists continue to adopt advanced competencies, particularly in PET/CT imaging and radiopharmaceutical therapies, they can expect not only to contribute to innovative healthcare practices but also to experience corresponding financial rewards in Bettendorf's evolving healthcare ecosystem.
About the Bettendorf Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($84,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $71,683 | $34.46 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $77,114 | $37.07 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $88,043 | $42.33 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $102,420 | $49.24 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $115,916 | $55.73 |
Median Salary Position
17.25% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bettendorf
In Bettendorf, IA, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $44,233 (2026 est.). At $88,043, the local median is 17.25% below the national median of $106,398.
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At 40 hours/week in Bettendorf: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bettendorf Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Bettendorf median: $88,043/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bettendorf Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $92,191 | -4.50% less |
| National Average | $106,398 | -17.25% less |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Bettendorf, IA earn a median of $88,043 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.25% lower than the national median of $106,398 and 4.50% below the Iowa state average of $92,191.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bettendorf has a cost of living 9.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bettendorf, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A nuclear medicine technologist earning $88,043 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $97,393 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$64,502
2025 BLS Actual
$83,882
2026 Current Est.
$88,043
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Bettendorf (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,502 | Actual |
| 2020 | $65,859 | Actual |
| 2021 | $65,173 | Actual |
| 2022 | $70,584 | Actual |
| 2023 | $76,542 | Actual |
| 2024 | $72,547 | Actual |
| 2025 | $83,882 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $88,043 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $92,409 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bettendorf metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 30.0% from $64,502 (2019) to $83,882 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $92,409 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,907 (43.27%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bettendorf 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $71,683 – $77,114 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $77,114 – $88,043 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $88,043 – $102,420 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $102,420 – $115,916 |
NMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nuclear medicine technologist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Job Market in Bettendorf
A total of ten nuclear medicine technologists are currently employed in Bettendorf, pointing to a relatively stable job market within the region. The cost of living index in Bettendorf stands at 90.4, indicating that salaries may stretch further compared to higher-cost areas. Typically, the most competitive pay can be found within hospital nuclear medicine departments and specialized outpatient PET/CT imaging centers, followed closely by cardiology practices engaged in nuclear cardiology. Factors influencing the salary spectrum include the mix of PET/CT and SPECT-only certifications, experience at theranostics centers, and the demand for on-call coverage. Professionals looking to maximize their nuclear medicine technologist pay in Bettendorf, IA, can enhance their qualifications through cross-training in CT and acquiring specialized skills relevant to theranostics, which is increasingly becoming a premium area in the field.
More salary data for Bettendorf, 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
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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $83,882 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Bettendorf metropolitan area. A 4.96% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Bettendorf 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