Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Prior Lake, MN: $102,572 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Prior Lake, MN earns a median $102,572/year (≈ $49.31/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Prior Lake's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $104,134 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.1% below the Minnesota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Prior Lake, MN, nuclear medicine technologists can expect a healthy median annual salary of $102,572 in 2026, reflecting localized adjustments based on state-level BLS data. Salary ranges vary significantly, with entry-level positions starting at $79,020, while experienced technologists may earn up to $136,207. The market here presents a competitive backdrop, influenced by the choice between working in hospital settings versus outpatient PET/CT oncology centers. The concentration of roles in these two environments shapes compensation structures distinctly, making it crucial for prospective technologists to assess their options carefully.
About the Prior Lake Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($100,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $79,020 | $38.00 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $86,600 | $41.64 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $102,572 | $49.31 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $113,891 | $54.76 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $136,207 | $65.48 |
Median Salary Position
3.6% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Prior Lake
In Prior Lake, MN, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $57,187 (2026 est.). At $102,572, the local median is 3.6% below the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Prior Lake: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Prior Lake Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Prior Lake median: $102,572/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Prior Lake Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $104,772 | -2.10% less |
| National Average | $106,398 | -3.60% less |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Prior Lake, MN earn a median of $102,572 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.60% lower than the national median of $106,398 and 2.10% below the Minnesota state average of $104,772.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Prior Lake 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.
Prior Lake, MN has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A nuclear medicine technologist earning $102,572 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $104,134 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$75,147
2025 BLS Actual
$97,725
2026 Current Est.
$102,572
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Prior Lake (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $75,147 | Actual |
| 2020 | $76,728 | Actual |
| 2021 | $75,928 | Actual |
| 2022 | $82,233 | Actual |
| 2023 | $89,174 | Actual |
| 2024 | $96,405 | Actual |
| 2025 | $97,725 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $102,572 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $107,660 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Prior Lake metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 30.0% from $75,147 (2019) to $97,725 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $107,660 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,513 (43.27%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Prior Lake 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) | $79,020 – $86,600 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $86,600 – $102,572 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $102,572 – $113,891 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $113,891 – $136,207 |
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 Prior Lake
Currently, seven nuclear medicine technologists are employed in Prior Lake, providing a niche job market that may offer unique opportunities for those entering or advancing their careers. With a cost-of-living index of 98.5, living expenses here are slightly below the national average, which can enhance the purchasing power of salaries derived from nuclear medicine technologist pay in Prior Lake, MN. Employers differ in compensation, with hospitals and outpatient PET centers often leading the way, due to variances in required skill sets. For instance, positions at theranostics centers that specialize in radiopharmaceutical therapies may command higher salaries, benefiting those with experience in specific modalities. Additionally, salary fluctuations can be attributed to factors such as the credential mix involving PET/CT scans versus SPECT-only procedures, as well as the necessity for on-call coverage and cross-training in CT imaging. Maximizing pay in this environment will likely hinge on pursuing diverse certifications and seeking roles in high-demand settings, particularly as the field evolves with the increasing growth of theranostics.
More salary data for Prior Lake, MN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nuclear medicine technologists make in Prior Lake, MN in 2026?
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Can nuclear medicine technologists make $100K in Prior Lake?
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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 $97,725 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Prior Lake 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 Prior Lake 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