Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Des Moines, IA: $94,786 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Des Moines, IA earns a median $94,786/year (≈ $45.57/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Des Moines's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $104,852 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.9% above the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, nuclear medicine technologists in Des Moines, Iowa, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $94,786, reflecting local market conditions and BLS state-level estimates. The salary range spans from $72,901 at the 10th percentile to $134,434 at the 90th percentile, indicating a substantial variance depending on credentials and experience. Notably, the role's compensation is slightly below the national median of $106,398 for the same year, highlighting the competitive nature of the local job market. The difference in pay also stems from the mix of PET/CT and SPECT-only credentials that drive demand and compensation, particularly as PET/CT and theranostics gain traction in medical settings across the region.
About the Des Moines Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($84,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $72,901 | $35.05 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $81,314 | $39.10 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $94,786 | $45.57 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $114,041 | $54.83 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $134,434 | $64.63 |
Median Salary Position
10.91% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Des Moines
In Des Moines, IA, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $61,533 (2026 est.). At $94,786, the local median is 10.91% below the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Des Moines: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Des Moines Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Des Moines median: $94,786/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Des Moines Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $92,115 | +2.90% more |
| National Average | $106,398 | -10.91% less |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Des Moines, IA earn a median of $94,786 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.91% lower than the national median of $106,398 and 2.90% above the Iowa state average of $92,115.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Des Moines 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.
Des Moines, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A nuclear medicine technologist earning $94,786 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $104,852 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$69,443
2025 BLS Actual
$90,307
2026 Current Est.
$94,786
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Des Moines (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $69,443 | Actual |
| 2020 | $70,904 | Actual |
| 2021 | $80,270 | Actual |
| 2022 | $75,991 | Actual |
| 2023 | $81,190 | Actual |
| 2024 | $84,340 | Actual |
| 2025 | $90,307 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $94,786 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $99,488 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Des Moines metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 30.0% from $69,443 (2019) to $90,307 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $99,488 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,045 (43.27%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Des Moines 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) | $72,901 – $81,314 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $81,314 – $94,786 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $94,786 – $114,041 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $114,041 – $134,434 |
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 Des Moines
Currently, 44 nuclear medicine technologists are employed in Des Moines, suggesting a stable local job market despite the lower median salary compared to national figures. The cost of living in Des Moines stands at 90.4, which is below the national average, positively impacting purchasing power for those in this field. The highest-paying employers tend to be hospital nuclear medicine departments and outpatient PET/CT imaging centers, while positions in theranostics centers may offer experience premiums due to the specialized nature of services like lutetium-177 therapies. Factors contributing to the pay spread include the credential mix, on-call coverage requirements, and cross-training in CT. To maximize earning potential within this market, pursuing dual credentials in PET/CT and SPECT, along with seeking opportunities in advanced imaging facilities, can be advantageous for nuclear medicine technologists in Des Moines, IA.
More salary data for Des Moines, IA:
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
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 $90,307 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Des Moines 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 Des Moines 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