Entry-Level Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Edina, MN: $78,656 (2026)
Quick Answer:New nuclear medicine technologists entering the Edina, MN job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $78,656 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2033, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Edina's local price level (BEA RPP 98.5 — 1% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $79,854 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($101,318) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
New graduates entering the field of nuclear medicine technology in Edina, Minnesota, can expect a starting salary of approximately $78,656 in 2026. This figure is notably lower than the city’s median annual salary of $101,318, creating a gap that new professionals need to consider when planning their career paths. For recent graduates, the potential earnings can grow from the entry-level rate to around $86,379 within the first few years, and eventually reaching the median salary as experience is gained. This trajectory suggests positive opportunities for advancement in Edina's healthcare market, which currently provides entry-level roles for nuclear medicine technologists, making it an appealing place for new graduates to launch their careers.
About the Edina Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($100,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Edina
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Edina
Entry-level nuclear medicine technologists in Edina, MN typically start between $78,656 and $86,379 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $57,161 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $101,318 — 4.77% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average nuclear medicine program cost in Minnesota of $38,000 represents just 48.31% of the starting nuclear medicine technologist pay ($78,656/year) in Edina. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on JRCNMT-accredited nuclear medicine technology program data. Available as associate degree, bachelor's degree, or post-primary certificate pathways. Tuition-only averages; actual costs vary significantly by institution type.
NMT Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Edina
- 1Research the Edina market: entry-level nuclear medicine technologist pay ranges from $78,656 to $86,379, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the nuclear medicine field — employers in MN often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Edina, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Edina for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Edina's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Compensation Range
The nuclear medicine technologist wage spread in Edina is $57,161 ( 72.67%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $78,656, experienced hygienists can earn up to $135,817.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$54,285
2025 BLS Actual
$74,939
2026 Current Est.
$78,656
2019–2027 Growth
+52.1%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Edina (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,285 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,504 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,114 | Actual |
| 2022 | $62,078 | Actual |
| 2023 | $66,512 | Actual |
| 2024 | $74,751 | Actual |
| 2025 | $74,939 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $78,656 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $82,557 | Projected |
Entry-level nuclear medicine technologist compensation (10th percentile) in Edina, MN grew 38.0% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $54,285 in 2019 to $74,939 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $82,557. New graduates entering the Edina job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Edina 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.
Starting Your nuclear medicine Career in Edina
In Edina, various employers are ready to onboard new graduates in the nuclear medicine technology field. Local hospitals often seek entry-level technologists, especially those willing to undergo paid training for PET/CT cross-credentialing, which enhances their qualifications. Outpatient PET imaging centers typically prefer candidates who have already obtained national certification or are pre-credentialed. To boost starting pay in Minnesota, aspiring technologists should focus on obtaining an Associate's or Bachelor's degree from a JRCNMT-accredited program, along with certifications from NMTCB or ARRT(N). As sectors such as theranostics and PET/CT continue to expand, technologists targeting these areas can expect a promising salary trajectory. Meanwhile, pure SPECT roles may present limited growth opportunities. For those starting in this profession, achieving certifications in CT cross-training and keeping abreast of industry developments are vital strategies for enhancing marketability and achieving upward salary movement within the first few years.
More salary data for Edina, MN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for nuclear medicine technologists in Edina in 2026?
How fast do nuclear medicine technologist salaries grow in Edina?
Is nuclear medicine school worth it in Edina?
What do new nuclear medicine technologists make right out of school in Edina?
How do I become a nuclear medicine technologist in Minnesota?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Minnesota
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
Entry-level 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 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new nuclear medicine graduates. A 4.96% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Edina. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Edina 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