Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Elk River, MN: $102,678 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Elk River, MN earns a median $102,678/year (≈ $49.36/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Elk River's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $104,242 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% below the Minnesota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Nuclear medicine technologists in Elk River, MN, benefit from a competitive median salary of $102,678 in 2026, slightly below the national average of $106,398. The local pay range extends from $84,765 at the lower end to $136,810 for those in the upper percentiles. These figures are based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, accounting for the region's cost of living, which currently sits below the national average. With a small pool of four professionals in the area, the job market presents unique opportunities, especially for those looking to work in hospital settings versus outpatient PET/CT imaging centers where compensation structures may differ significantly.
About the Elk River Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($100,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $84,765 | $40.76 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $90,794 | $43.65 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $102,678 | $49.36 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $114,057 | $54.83 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $136,810 | $65.78 |
Median Salary Position
3.5% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Elk River
In Elk River, MN, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $52,045 (2026 est.). At $102,678, the local median is 3.5% below the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Elk River: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Elk River Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Elk River median: $102,678/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Elk River Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $104,774 | -2.00% less |
| National Average | $106,398 | -3.50% less |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Elk River, MN earn a median of $102,678 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.50% lower than the national median of $106,398 and 2.00% below the Minnesota state average of $104,774.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Elk River has a cost of living 1.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Elk River, MN has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A nuclear medicine technologist earning $102,678 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $104,242 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$75,225
2025 BLS Actual
$97,826
2026 Current Est.
$102,678
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Elk River (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $75,225 | Actual |
| 2020 | $76,807 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,006 | Actual |
| 2022 | $82,318 | Actual |
| 2023 | $89,266 | Actual |
| 2024 | $96,504 | Actual |
| 2025 | $97,826 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $102,678 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $107,771 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Elk River metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 30.0% from $75,225 (2019) to $97,826 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $107,771 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,546 (43.26%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Elk River 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) | $84,765 – $90,794 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $90,794 – $102,678 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $102,678 – $114,057 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $114,057 – $136,810 |
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 Elk River
Examining the local job market reveals that while Elk River has steady demand for nuclear medicine technologists, the cost of living index at 98.5 suggests that salaries may stretch further than in higher-cost areas. Employers such as hospitals, outpatient imaging centers, and cardiology practices are the primary sources of employment, each offering varied salaries influenced by workload, experience, and specialization. Technologists skilled in PET/CT and theranostics, especially those with cross-training in CT, generally find themselves at the higher end of the pay spectrum. In contrast, those focused solely on SPECT may experience tighter wage brackets. To maximize earning potential within this market, pursuing additional certifications in theranostics or gaining experience in on-call roles can significantly enhance pay prospects for nuclear medicine technologist positions in Elk River, MN.
More salary data for Elk River, MN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nuclear medicine technologists make in Elk River, MN in 2026?
Is Elk River, MN a good place to work as a nuclear medicine technologist?
Can nuclear medicine technologists make $100K in Elk River?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted nuclear medicine technologist salary in Elk River?
How much does a nuclear medicine technologist make per hour in Elk River?
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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 $97,826 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Elk River 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 Elk River 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