Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Marion, IA: $90,616 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Marion, IA earns a median $90,616/year (≈ $43.57/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Marion's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $100,239 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.7% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Marion, Iowa, nuclear medicine technologists with roles in hospital settings generally experience a salary advantage compared to those employed at outpatient PET or oncology centers. With a projected median annual salary of $90,616, professionals in this field will find themselves earning between $70,514 and $115,521, depending on experience and job responsibilities. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, which have been adjusted for the local cost of living. While Marion's pay rates might seem lower than the national median of $106,398, the job market still offers competitive opportunities for technologists, especially those diversifying their skill sets between SPECT and PET modalities.
About the Marion Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($84,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $70,514 | $33.90 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $77,027 | $37.03 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $90,616 | $43.57 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $103,040 | $49.54 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $115,521 | $55.53 |
Median Salary Position
14.83% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Marion
In Marion, IA, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $45,007 (2026 est.). At $90,616, the local median is 14.83% below the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Marion: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Marion Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Marion median: $90,616/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Marion Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $92,183 | -1.70% less |
| National Average | $106,398 | -14.83% less |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Marion, IA earn a median of $90,616 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.83% lower than the national median of $106,398 and 1.70% below the Iowa state average of $92,183.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Marion 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.
Marion, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A nuclear medicine technologist earning $90,616 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $100,239 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$66,388
2025 BLS Actual
$86,334
2026 Current Est.
$90,616
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Marion (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $66,388 | Actual |
| 2020 | $67,785 | Actual |
| 2021 | $67,078 | Actual |
| 2022 | $72,648 | Actual |
| 2023 | $78,780 | Actual |
| 2024 | $74,669 | Actual |
| 2025 | $86,334 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $90,616 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $95,111 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Marion metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 30.0% from $66,388 (2019) to $86,334 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $95,111 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,723 (43.27%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Marion 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) | $70,514 – $77,027 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $77,027 – $90,616 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $90,616 – $103,040 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $103,040 – $115,521 |
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 Marion
The local job market consists of just six nuclear medicine technologists, indicating a typically stable but limited pool of professionals in Marion. The cost of living index stands at 90.4, providing residents with an advantageous purchasing power relative to their salaries. Among the local employers, hospitals generally lead in pay offerings, particularly where nuclear medicine departments thrive. The widest salary variance is driven by the specific expertise within PET/CT or SPECT roles, with cross-training in CT or on-call coverage potentially boosting earnings. For optimum compensation, seeking advanced certification in theranostics or enhancing skills in mobile PET imaging could offer strategic advantages in this evolving field. In Marion, understanding the structural dynamics between outpatient and hospital roles can be pivotal for technologists looking to maximize their salary potential in 2026.
More salary data for Marion, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can nuclear medicine technologists make $100K in Marion?
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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 $86,334 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Marion 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 Marion 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