Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Clinton, IA: $86,477 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Clinton, IA earns a median $86,477/year (≈ $41.57/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Clinton's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $95,660 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.2% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, a nuclear medicine technologist salary in Clinton, IA, is positioned at a median annual figure of $86,477, which reflects a notable percentage below the national median of $106,398. Salaries in this field can vary significantly, ranging from $71,937 at the 10th percentile to as high as $109,747 at the 90th percentile. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS state-level data, adjusted for regional cost factors. As the demand for highly skilled technologists continues to grow, particularly in theranostics specialties, Clinton offers competitive salaries within the local context, although they still lag behind national averages, signaling a potential opportunity for professionals to focus on specialized training to enhance earning potential.
About the Clinton Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($84,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $71,937 | $34.58 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $76,419 | $36.74 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $86,477 | $41.57 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $98,410 | $47.32 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $109,747 | $52.76 |
Median Salary Position
18.72% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Clinton
In Clinton, IA, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $37,810 (2026 est.). At $86,477, the local median is 18.72% below the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Clinton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Clinton Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Clinton median: $86,477/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Clinton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $92,192 | -6.20% less |
| National Average | $106,398 | -18.72% less |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Clinton, IA earn a median of $86,477 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.72% lower than the national median of $106,398 and 6.20% below the Iowa state average of $92,192.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Clinton 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.
Clinton, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A nuclear medicine technologist earning $86,477 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $95,660 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$63,355
2025 BLS Actual
$82,390
2026 Current Est.
$86,477
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Clinton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $63,355 | Actual |
| 2020 | $64,688 | Actual |
| 2021 | $64,013 | Actual |
| 2022 | $69,329 | Actual |
| 2023 | $75,181 | Actual |
| 2024 | $71,257 | Actual |
| 2025 | $82,390 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $86,477 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $90,766 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Clinton metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 30.0% from $63,355 (2019) to $82,390 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $90,766 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,411 (43.27%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Clinton 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) | $71,937 – $76,419 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $76,419 – $86,477 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $86,477 – $98,410 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $98,410 – $109,747 |
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 Clinton
The job market for nuclear medicine technologists in Clinton is relatively small, with just six professionals currently employed in the field. However, the cost of living here is below the national average, with a cost-of-living index of 90.4, which contributes to a favorable take-home purchasing power overall. Among local employers, hospital nuclear medicine departments and outpatient PET/CT imaging centers tend to offer higher salaries compared to cardiology practices and mobile PET imaging companies. The disparity in pay can largely be attributed to credential mixes; those with experience in PET/CT and theranostics often command premiums over traditional SPECT-only technicians. To maximize pay in this specific market, technologists may benefit from pursuing advanced certifications, such as those from SNMMI-TS or NMTCB, and expanding their skill sets to include cross-training in CT, thereby strengthening their marketability in Clinton's evolving healthcare environment.
More salary data for Clinton, 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 $82,390 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Clinton 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 Clinton 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