Entry-Level Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Pierre, SD: $65,137 (2026)
Quick Answer:New nuclear medicine technologists entering the Pierre, SD job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $65,137 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2033, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Pierre's local price level (BEA RPP 92.8 — 7% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $70,191 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($83,524) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For new graduates stepping into the role of a nuclear medicine technologist in Pierre, South Dakota, the starting nuclear medicine technologist salary is projected at around $65,137 in 2026. This figure places entry-level positions below the city's median annual salary of $83,524 and illustrates a clear pathway over the initial years of employment, where individuals can expect to see their pay increase significantly. With diligent career advancement and experience built over 3-5 years, early professionals typically move toward the 25th percentile earnings of $75,820, eventually setting up for a more competitive median. Given the 4.96% annual growth rate expected in this sector, Pierre presents a reasonably promising market for new graduates eager to start their careers in nuclear medicine.
About the Pierre Market
Salary estimated from South Dakota average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Pierre
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 Pierre
Entry-level nuclear medicine technologists in Pierre, SD typically start between $65,137 and $75,820 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $41,051 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $83,524 — 21.5% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average nuclear medicine program cost in South Dakota of $28,000 represents just 42.99% of the starting nuclear medicine technologist pay ($65,137/year) in Pierre. 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 Pierre
- 1Research the Pierre market: entry-level nuclear medicine technologist pay ranges from $65,137 to $75,820, 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 SD often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Pierre, 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 Pierre for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Pierre's below-average 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 Pierre is $41,051 ( 63.02%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $65,137, experienced hygienists can earn up to $106,188.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$44,955
2025 BLS Actual
$62,059
2026 Current Est.
$65,137
2019–2027 Growth
+52.1%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Pierre (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,955 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,964 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,126 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,409 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,081 | Actual |
| 2024 | $56,413 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,059 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,137 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,368 | Projected |
Entry-level nuclear medicine technologist compensation (10th percentile) in Pierre, SD grew 38.0% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $44,955 in 2019 to $62,059 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $68,368. New graduates entering the Pierre job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pierre 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 Pierre
A solid entry-level position can often be found in hospital nuclear medicine departments, which are known to hire recent graduates, especially those supplemented by upcoming training in PET/CT. Outpatient imaging centers that perform PET scans are particularly interested in pre-credentialed techs. For new technologists, earning credentials from a JRCNMT-accredited program coupled with national certification from NMTCB or ARRT(N) can significantly boost initial compensation. In the first few years, it's advisable to pursue additional certifications such as NMTCB-CT or ARRT-CT, especially given the growing fields of PET/CT and theranostics, which include cutting-edge therapies like Pluvicto and Lutathera. The job market is evolving, making it crucial for entry-level professionals to focus on ongoing education and to seek roles that may not only enhance their salaries but also prepare them for future opportunities in this expanding field.
More salary data for Pierre, SD:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
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 Pierre. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Pierre 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