Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Appleton, WI: $98,221 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Appleton, WI earns a median $98,221/year (≈ $47.22/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Appleton's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $105,162 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% below the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Appleton, Wisconsin, the nuclear medicine technologist salary stands at a median of $98,221 in 2026, which reflects a slight decrease in comparison to the national median of $106,398. The salary dynamics in this region show a wide annual range from $71,826 (P10) to $126,384 (P90). These estimates stem from BLS state-level data and regional price adjustments, indicating that local employment levels can vary significantly based on specific credentials. The split between PET/CT and SPECT-only certifications deeply influences pay; those with PET/CT qualifications tend to command higher wages, aligning with the growing demand for advanced imaging and theranostic services.
About the Appleton Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($90,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $71,826 | $34.53 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $86,312 | $41.50 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $98,221 | $47.22 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $111,553 | $53.63 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $126,384 | $60.76 |
Median Salary Position
7.69% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Appleton
In Appleton, WI, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $54,558 (2026 est.). At $98,221, the local median is 7.69% below the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Appleton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Appleton Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Appleton median: $98,221/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Appleton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $99,413 | -1.20% less |
| National Average | $106,398 | -7.69% less |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Appleton, WI earn a median of $98,221 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.69% lower than the national median of $106,398 and 1.20% below the Wisconsin state average of $99,413.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Appleton has a cost of living 6.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Appleton, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A nuclear medicine technologist earning $98,221 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $105,162 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$71,959
2025 BLS Actual
$93,579
2026 Current Est.
$98,221
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Appleton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $71,959 | Actual |
| 2020 | $73,473 | Actual |
| 2021 | $72,707 | Actual |
| 2022 | $78,744 | Actual |
| 2023 | $85,391 | Actual |
| 2024 | $83,083 | Actual |
| 2025 | $93,579 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $98,221 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $103,092 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Appleton metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 30.0% from $71,959 (2019) to $93,579 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $103,092 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,133 (43.26%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Appleton 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) | $71,826 – $86,312 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $86,312 – $98,221 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $98,221 – $111,553 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $111,553 – $126,384 |
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 Appleton
With only 17 nuclear medicine technologists employed locally, the job market in Appleton presents unique opportunities and challenges. The cost of living index of 93.4 suggests that while salaries are somewhat lower than the national average, the purchasing power remains decent for residents. Among local employers, hospital nuclear medicine departments and outpatient PET/CT imaging centers often provide the highest compensation. The variation in salaries can be attributed to several factors, including the credential mix of technologists, particularly in PET/CT versus SPECT, as well as experience in theranostics and the ability to provide on-call coverage. To maximize pay in this market, pursuing additional credentials, such as CT cross-training and gaining experience in high-demand areas like therapy services, can enhance a technologist's value and negotiating power.
More salary data for Appleton, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nuclear medicine technologists make in Appleton, WI in 2026?
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Can nuclear medicine technologists make $100K in Appleton?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted nuclear medicine technologist salary in Appleton?
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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 $93,579 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Appleton 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 Appleton 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