Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in South Dakota: $87,128 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across South Dakota's 11 metropolitan areas, the average median nuclear medicine technologist pay sits at $87,128/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2033. Because South Dakota sits at BEA RPP 92.8 (7% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $93,888 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Rapid City ($85,681), Sioux Falls ($85,646), Watertown ($81,443).
As of 2026, nuclear medicine technologists in South Dakota have an average median salary of $87,128, which is significantly lower than the national median of $106,398, reflecting a -18.1% difference. The highest paying city in the state is Rapid City, where technologists can earn about $89,931, while those in Huron earn the least at $81,986, highlighting a salary gap of $7,945. This disparity may be driven by cost of living, healthcare demand variations, and the presence of healthcare facilities in these areas. In South Dakota, licensing requirements for nuclear medicine technologists involve state-specific qualifications that ensure practitioners meet safety and professional standards. The scope of practice laws can impact job roles and responsibilities, influencing demand. With projected employment growth at an annual CAGR of 4.96%, the job market for nuclear medicine technologists appears stable, driven by advancements in medical imaging technology and an aging population needing diagnostic services. The top five cities projected for employment and salaries in 2026 include Sioux Falls at $89,894, Watertown at $85,483, Yankton at $85,455, and Spearfish at $85,242. As the healthcare landscape evolves, nuclear medicine technologists in South Dakota have opportunities for career advancement and skill enhancement in a growing job market.
South Dakota Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary Range
Overall salary range in South Dakota: $65,137 (lowest entry-level) to $124,322 (highest top earner)
South Dakota vs National Average
South Dakota nuclear medicine technologists earn 18.11% less than the national median ($-19,270/year difference).
South Dakota Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary Distribution (2026)
Nuclear Medicine Technologist salaries in South Dakota range from $68,661 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $114,318 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $87,128. The South Dakota median is $19,270 below the US national median of $106,398. The average hourly rate is $41.89/hr. Approximately 97 nuclear medicine technologists are employed across 11 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$64,720
2025 BLS Actual
$83,011
2026 Current Est.
$87,128
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in South Dakota (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,720 | Actual |
| 2020 | $60,320 | Actual |
| 2021 | $64,496 | Actual |
| 2022 | $69,851 | Actual |
| 2023 | $75,747 | Actual |
| 2024 | $74,578 | Actual |
| 2025 | $83,011 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $87,128 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $91,450 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the South Dakota metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 28.3% from $64,720 (2019) to $83,011 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $91,450 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,730 (41.30%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the South Dakota 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in South Dakota
Lowest Paying Cities in South Dakota
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Huron | $81,986 |
| Vermillion | $82,113 |
| Brookings | $82,133 |
| Pierre | $83,524 |
| Aberdeen | $84,485 |
Best Value Cities for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in South Dakota
When adjusted for local cost of living, these South Dakota cities offer the most purchasing power for nuclear medicine technologists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rapid City | $89,931 | 92.8 | $96,908 |
| Sioux Falls | $89,894 | 92.8 | $96,869 |
| Watertown | $85,483 | 92.8 | $92,115 |
| Yankton | $85,455 | 92.8 | $92,085 |
| Spearfish | $85,242 | 92.8 | $91,856 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in South Dakota
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $68,661 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $87,128 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $114,318 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across South Dakota metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 11 Cities in South Dakota
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rapid City | $89,931 |
| 2 | Sioux Falls | $89,894 |
| 3 | Watertown | $85,483 |
| 4 | Yankton | $85,455 |
| 5 | Spearfish | $85,242 |
| 6 | Mitchell | $84,627 |
| 7 | Aberdeen | $84,485 |
| 8 | Pierre | $83,524 |
| 9 | Brookings | $82,133 |
| 10 | Vermillion | $82,113 |
| 11 | Huron | $81,986 |
More South Dakota Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore nuclear medicine technologist hourly pay in South Dakota cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new nuclear medicine technologists.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced nuclear medicine technologists.
Explore More Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nuclear medicine technologists make in South Dakota in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for nuclear medicine technologists in South Dakota?
How does South Dakota nuclear medicine technologist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level nuclear medicine technologist salary in South Dakota?
How many nuclear medicine technologists are employed in South Dakota?
Which South Dakota city offers the best value for nuclear medicine technologists?
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
Statewide 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. A 4.96% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 nuclear medicine technologist compensation across South Dakota. State averages are employment-weighted across 11 metro areas — larger metro areas with more nuclear medicine technologistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 4-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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