Senior Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Brookings, SD: $101,851 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of nuclear medicine technologists working in Brookings, SD — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $101,851/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 29-2033. Strip back Brookings's price premium (BEA RPP 92.8, 7% below national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $109,753 in average-cost America. The 24% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Brookings, South Dakota, experienced nuclear medicine technologists can look forward to a competitive salary landscape in 2026. With a median annual wage of $82,133 and top earners (P90) reaching $101,851, there's a substantial gap between the general median and the earnings of senior professionals. This indicates the potential for considerable financial rewards as individuals accumulate experience. To achieve such top-tier compensation, technologists often need to enhance their skill sets through advanced certifications, specialization training, and years of practical experience in high-demand areas such as PET/CT or theranostics. Overall, the financial incentives for seasoned professionals reflect their critical roles in delivering complex nuclear medicine services in the healthcare environment of Brookings.
About the Brookings Market
Salary estimated from South Dakota average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Brookings
Experienced nuclear medicine technologists at the top of the pay scale in Brookings earn between $91,992 and $101,851 per year (2026 est.). This $33,135 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Brookings median of $82,133 sits 22.81% below the US median.
Top NMT Salary Comparison
| Level | Brookings | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $82,133 | $106,398 |
| 75th Percentile | $91,992 | $122,929 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $101,851 | $141,171 |
In Brookings, experienced nuclear medicine technologists (P90) earn 24.01% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay in Brookings
Advanced Certifications in South Dakota
SD nuclear medicine technologists with additional specialty certifications within the nuclear medicine field earn significantly above the $82,133 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Brookings employers.
Specialty Focus
Nuclear Medicine Technologists focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the nuclear medicine field in Brookings command premium compensation, often reaching the $91,992–$101,851 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Brookings metro area often pay above-market rates for experienced nuclear medicine technologists who demonstrate efficiency and leadership.
Employer Loyalty & Patient Relationships
Long-tenured nuclear medicine technologists in Brookings with established relationships have strong negotiating leverage. In this developing market, retention bonuses and annual raises are common for top performers.
Continuing Education & Leadership
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in South Dakota who pursue advanced degrees, mentor junior staff, or lead clinical education programs position themselves for the highest compensation tiers and management roles.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Career & Wage Growth Path in Brookings
Clinical Nuclear Medicine Technologist
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Nuclear Medicine Technologist
5-10 yearsNuclear Medicine Technologist Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedBrookings ranks #9 of 11 South Dakota cities for top earner nuclear medicine technologist salary (90th percentile: $101,851).
Top 10% nuclear medicine technologist compensation in Brookings ($101,851) is 10.9% below the South Dakota average P90 ($114,317).
2019 BLS Actual
$76,252
2025 BLS Actual
$97,038
2026 Current Est.
$101,851
2019–2027 Growth
+40.2%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Brookings (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $76,252 | Actual |
| 2020 | $78,691 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,137 | Actual |
| 2022 | $82,320 | Actual |
| 2023 | $89,398 | Actual |
| 2024 | $86,746 | Actual |
| 2025 | $97,038 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $101,851 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $106,903 | Projected |
Top-earning nuclear medicine technologists (90th percentile) in Brookings saw their compensation grow 27.3% from $76,252 in 2019 to $97,038 in 2025, based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for this metropolitan area. At a 4.96% annual growth rate, senior-level pay is projected to reach $106,903 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Brookings 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.
Maximizing Your Nuclear Medicine Technologist Earnings in Brookings
At this level of expertise, specialty areas significantly influence salary. Technologists proficient in PET/CT imaging, particularly those focused on oncology, or specialized in nuclear cardiology, often command higher salaries than their peers. Employment settings also shape compensation levels; senior roles in hospital nuclear medicine departments typically offer different pay structures compared to outpatient PET/CT facilities or theranostics centers. Furthermore, paths to advancement can lead to positions such as lead nuclear medicine technologist or PET/CT supervisor, enhancing overall earning potential. Gaining advanced credentials, such as those from NMTCB or ARRT(N), alongside CT cross-training, further bolsters marketability. In the competitive landscape of Brookings, factors such as specialization in theranostics or willingness to work in mobile PET imaging significantly contribute to a comprehensive approach to seniors' salary and non-salary benefits.
More salary data for Brookings, SD:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced nuclear medicine technologists make in Brookings in 2026?
What drives higher nuclear medicine technologist pay in Brookings?
What certifications boost nuclear medicine technologist salary in Brookings?
Can experienced nuclear medicine technologists make six figures in Brookings?
How much does nuclear medicine technologist salary increase over time in Brookings?
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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
Top-earner salary figures on this page are 2026 projections derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. BLS reported a 90th percentile salary of $97,038 for nuclear medicine technologists in the Brookings metro area. A 4.96% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 senior-level compensation. Individual earnings depend on certifications, specialization, practice type, and years of clinical experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Brookings 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