Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Sioux City, IA: $92,820 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Sioux City, IA earns a median $92,820/year (≈ $44.63/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Sioux City's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $102,677 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% above the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Sioux City, Iowa, nuclear medicine technologists can expect a median annual salary of $92,820 in 2026, which reflects a 12.76% decrease compared to the national median of $106,398. The salary range for this profession locally spans from $70,704 at the 10th percentile to $119,584 at the 90th percentile, indicating a significant potential for earnings depending on experience and specialization. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local cost of living factors, which in Sioux City registers below the national average. As the demand for theranostics continues to rise, technologists pursuing this specialty could see elevated pay opportunities in the local market.
About the Sioux City Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($84,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $70,704 | $34.00 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $78,119 | $37.55 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $92,820 | $44.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $105,509 | $50.73 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $119,584 | $57.50 |
Median Salary Position
12.76% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Sioux City
In Sioux City, IA, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $48,880 (2026 est.). At $92,820, the local median is 12.76% below the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Sioux City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Sioux City Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Sioux City median: $92,820/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Sioux City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $92,175 | +0.70% more |
| National Average | $106,398 | -12.76% less |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Sioux City, IA earn a median of $92,820 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.76% lower than the national median of $106,398 and 0.70% above the Iowa state average of $92,175.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Sioux City 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.
Sioux City, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A nuclear medicine technologist earning $92,820 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $102,677 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$68,003
2025 BLS Actual
$88,434
2026 Current Est.
$92,820
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Sioux City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $68,003 | Actual |
| 2020 | $69,433 | Actual |
| 2021 | $68,709 | Actual |
| 2022 | $74,415 | Actual |
| 2023 | $80,696 | Actual |
| 2024 | $76,485 | Actual |
| 2025 | $88,434 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $92,820 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $97,424 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Sioux City metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 30.0% from $68,003 (2019) to $88,434 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $97,424 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,421 (43.26%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sioux 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $70,704 – $78,119 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $78,119 – $92,820 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $92,820 – $105,509 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $105,509 – $119,584 |
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 Sioux City
As of 2026, Sioux City employs 13 nuclear medicine technologists, highlighting a modest job market for this field. The area has a cost-of-living index of 90.4, suggesting that while salaries are slightly lower than the national average, purchasing power remains viable for residents. Various employers, including regional hospitals and outpatient PET/CT imaging centers, dictate the local pay scale. Typically, those working in PET/CT facilities, especially with theranostics experience, tend to earn higher wages in comparison to SPECT-only roles. Factors like on-call coverage needs and cross-training in CT can significantly influence salary potential. For technologists aiming to maximize their earnings, gaining experience in theranostics or securing positions at specialized imaging centers may provide the best strategies for improving their financial outlook in Sioux City's evolving healthcare environment.
More salary data for Sioux City, 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 $88,434 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Sioux City 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 Sioux 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