Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Council Bluffs, IA: $88,997 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Council Bluffs, IA earns a median $88,997/year (≈ $42.78/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Council Bluffs's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $98,448 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.4% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Council Bluffs, Iowa, nuclear medicine technologists can expect a median annual salary of $88,997 in 2026, reflecting the region's healthcare emphasis on both hospital settings and outpatient PET/CT imaging centers. Salaries for this role vary widely, ranging from $68,578 at the 10th percentile to $116,096 at the 90th percentile. These figures, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, indicate a competitive local compensation structure that considers the growing demand for nuclear medicine services. The region's healthcare industry is evolving, particularly in response to advancements in oncology and theranostics, leading to a diverse range of job opportunities for technologists with relevant expertise.
The local job market for nuclear medicine technologists in Council Bluffs consists of approximately 12 professionals, suggesting a stable but relatively small employment pool. With a cost of living index of 90.4, the purchasing power for technologists is enhanced, making salaries more favorable compared to national averages. Notably, facilities that pay the most tend to be those involved in PET/CT imaging and theranostics, as these specialties often command higher pay due to the complexity and demand for advanced skills. The difference between low and high pay can stem from various factors, including experience with theranostics therapies, on-call responsibilities, and whether the technologist is cross-trained in CT. Therefore, candidates looking to maximize their nuclear medicine technologist pay in Council Bluffs should consider expanding their skill set in PET/CT and theranostics, along with negotiating for competitive compensation based on advanced certifications aligning with current industry trends.
About the Council Bluffs Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($84,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $68,578 | $32.97 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $75,763 | $36.42 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $88,997 | $42.78 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $103,973 | $49.99 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $116,096 | $55.82 |
Median Salary Position
16.35% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Council Bluffs
In Council Bluffs, IA, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $47,518 (2026 est.). At $88,997, the local median is 16.35% below the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Council Bluffs: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Council Bluffs Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Council Bluffs median: $88,997/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Council Bluffs Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $92,129 | -3.40% less |
| National Average | $106,398 | -16.35% less |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Council Bluffs, IA earn a median of $88,997 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.35% lower than the national median of $106,398 and 3.40% below the Iowa state average of $92,129.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Council Bluffs has a cost of living 9.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Council Bluffs, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A nuclear medicine technologist earning $88,997 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $98,448 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$65,201
2025 BLS Actual
$84,791
2026 Current Est.
$88,997
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Council Bluffs (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $65,201 | Actual |
| 2020 | $66,573 | Actual |
| 2021 | $65,879 | Actual |
| 2022 | $71,349 | Actual |
| 2023 | $77,372 | Actual |
| 2024 | $73,333 | Actual |
| 2025 | $84,791 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $88,997 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $93,411 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Council Bluffs metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 30.0% from $65,201 (2019) to $84,791 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $93,411 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,210 (43.27%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Council Bluffs 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) | $68,578 – $75,763 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $75,763 – $88,997 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $88,997 – $103,973 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $103,973 – $116,096 |
NMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nuclear medicine technologist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
More salary data for Council Bluffs, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nuclear medicine technologists make in Council Bluffs, IA in 2026?
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Can nuclear medicine technologists make $100K in Council Bluffs?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted nuclear medicine technologist salary in Council Bluffs?
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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 $84,791 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Council Bluffs 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 Council Bluffs 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