Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Watertown, SD: $85,483 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Watertown, SD earns a median $85,483/year (≈ $41.10/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Watertown's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.8), that paycheck buys what $92,115 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.8% below the South Dakota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Watertown, South Dakota, nuclear medicine technologists are expected to earn a median annual salary of $85,483 by 2026. This figure reflects local projections derived from BLS state-level data, showing a salary range that spans from $70,074 at the 10th percentile up to $107,342 at the 90th percentile. The disparity in pay is influenced particularly by the technologists' credentials, with PET/CT certified professionals generally commanding higher salaries than their SPECT-only counterparts. This credential-driven pay structure aligns closely with the growing emphasis on the advanced imaging capabilities of PET/CT in the healthcare market, suggesting a competitive job landscape for qualified candidates in Watertown.
About the Watertown Market
Salary estimated from South Dakota average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $70,074 | $33.69 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $74,787 | $35.96 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $85,483 | $41.10 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $96,571 | $46.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $107,342 | $51.61 |
Median Salary Position
19.66% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Watertown
In Watertown, SD, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $37,268 (2026 est.). At $85,483, the local median is 19.66% below the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Watertown: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Watertown Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Watertown median: $85,483/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Watertown Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota Average | $88,859 | -3.80% less |
| National Average | $106,398 | -19.66% less |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Watertown, SD earn a median of $85,483 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.66% lower than the national median of $106,398 and 3.80% below the South Dakota state average of $88,859.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Watertown has a cost of living 7.20% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Watertown, SD has a cost-of-living index of 92.8 (below the national average of 100). A nuclear medicine technologist earning $85,483 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $92,115 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.76% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$62,627
2025 BLS Actual
$81,443
2026 Current Est.
$85,483
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Watertown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,627 | Actual |
| 2020 | $63,944 | Actual |
| 2021 | $63,278 | Actual |
| 2022 | $68,532 | Actual |
| 2023 | $74,317 | Actual |
| 2024 | $73,170 | Actual |
| 2025 | $81,443 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $85,483 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $89,723 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Watertown metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 30.0% from $62,627 (2019) to $81,443 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $89,723 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,096 (43.27%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Watertown 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) | $70,074 – $74,787 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $74,787 – $85,483 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $85,483 – $96,571 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $96,571 – $107,342 |
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 Watertown
Despite the relatively modest earning levels compared to the national median of $106,398, the local job market for nuclear medicine technologists remains stable, with 6 professionals employed in the area. The cost of living index for Watertown sits at 92.8, indicating a lower-than-average living expense that enhances the purchasing power of local salaries. Employers that typically offer the most competitive compensation include hospital nuclear medicine departments, outpatient PET/CT imaging centers, and these facilities often prioritize candidates with experience in theranostics or those effective in on-call coverage scenarios. To maximize earning potential in this specific market, technologists might consider obtaining cross-training in CT scanning, actively pursuing certification upgrades, and seeking opportunities in emerging specialties like theranostics therapies. This concentrated focus could lead to greater financial rewards in a region where skill diversification is becoming increasingly valuable.
More salary data for Watertown, SD:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can nuclear medicine technologists make $100K in Watertown?
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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 $81,443 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Watertown 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 Watertown 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