Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Yankton, SD: $85,455 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Yankton, SD earns a median $85,455/year (≈ $41.08/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Yankton's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.8), that paycheck buys what $92,085 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.9% below the South Dakota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the nuclear medicine technologist salary in Yankton, SD, is projected to reach a median annual figure of $85,455. This pay reflects a competitive market influenced by the credential split between PET/CT and SPECT-only specialists, with the full salary range spanning from $70,005 at the 10th percentile to $104,325 at the 90th percentile. Local estimates are drawn from BLS state-level data, taking into account regional cost adjustments. While this median is notably lower than the national average of $106,398 for the same year, it indicates that technologists with dual competencies, particularly in PET/CT and theranostics, are positioned to command higher salaries, thereby enhancing their earning potential in Yankton's healthcare landscape.
About the Yankton Market
Salary estimated from South Dakota average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $70,005 | $33.66 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $74,729 | $35.93 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $85,455 | $41.08 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $94,695 | $45.53 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $104,325 | $50.16 |
Median Salary Position
19.68% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Yankton
In Yankton, SD, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $34,320 (2026 est.). At $85,455, the local median is 19.68% below the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Yankton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Yankton Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Yankton median: $85,455/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Yankton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota Average | $88,923 | -3.90% less |
| National Average | $106,398 | -19.68% less |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Yankton, SD earn a median of $85,455 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.68% lower than the national median of $106,398 and 3.90% below the South Dakota state average of $88,923.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Yankton 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.
Yankton, SD has a cost-of-living index of 92.8 (below the national average of 100). A nuclear medicine technologist earning $85,455 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $92,085 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.76% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$62,607
2025 BLS Actual
$81,417
2026 Current Est.
$85,455
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Yankton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,607 | Actual |
| 2020 | $63,924 | Actual |
| 2021 | $63,257 | Actual |
| 2022 | $68,510 | Actual |
| 2023 | $74,293 | Actual |
| 2024 | $73,147 | Actual |
| 2025 | $81,417 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $85,455 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $89,694 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Yankton metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 30.0% from $62,607 (2019) to $81,417 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $89,694 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,087 (43.27%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Yankton 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) | $70,005 – $74,729 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $74,729 – $85,455 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $85,455 – $94,695 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $94,695 – $104,325 |
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 Yankton
Examining the local job market reveals that only four nuclear medicine technologists are currently employed in the Yankton area, which may influence job competition and salary dynamics. With a cost-of-living index of 92.8, the purchasing power in Yankton is above average compared to national figures, allowing technologists to maximize their earnings effectively. Leading employers include hospital nuclear medicine departments, outpatient PET/CT imaging centers, and cardiology practices. The disparity in pay can be attributed to factors such as PET/CT credentialing, experiences at theranostics centers, on-call coverage for radiopharmaceuticals, and the necessary cross-training in CT technology. To optimize their salary, technologists should seek opportunities to gain cross-competencies, particularly in high-demand areas. This strategy can enhance their value to potential employers and align their skills with emerging trends in nuclear medicine.
More salary data for Yankton, SD:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nuclear medicine technologists make in Yankton, SD in 2026?
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Can nuclear medicine technologists make $100K in Yankton?
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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 $81,417 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Yankton 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 Yankton 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