Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Fort Dodge, IA: $84,591 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Fort Dodge, IA earns a median $84,591/year (≈ $40.67/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Fort Dodge's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $93,574 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.2% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Fort Dodge, Iowa, nuclear medicine technologists can expect a median annual salary of $84,591 in 2026, indicating a competitive level of compensation within the region. The projected salary range for these professionals spans from $69,770 at the 10th percentile to $103,691 at the 90th percentile, reflecting diverse earning potential based on experience and specialization. Local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price variations reveal that while salaries in Fort Dodge trail the national median of $106,398 by roughly 20.50%, the growing demand in areas like theranostics—particularly with treatments involving agents like Pluvicto and Lutathera—could enhance job opportunities and pay scales. The local job market currently employs four nuclear medicine technologists, suggesting a small yet potentially stable workforce.
About the Fort Dodge Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($84,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $69,770 | $33.55 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $74,385 | $35.76 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $84,591 | $40.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $95,982 | $46.14 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $103,691 | $49.86 |
Median Salary Position
20.5% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fort Dodge
In Fort Dodge, IA, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $33,921 (2026 est.). At $84,591, the local median is 20.5% below the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fort Dodge: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Fort Dodge Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Fort Dodge median: $84,591/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fort Dodge Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $92,148 | -8.20% less |
| National Average | $106,398 | -20.50% less |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Fort Dodge, IA earn a median of $84,591 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.50% lower than the national median of $106,398 and 8.20% below the Iowa state average of $92,148.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fort Dodge 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.
Fort Dodge, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A nuclear medicine technologist earning $84,591 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $93,574 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$61,974
2025 BLS Actual
$80,594
2026 Current Est.
$84,591
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Fort Dodge (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61,974 | Actual |
| 2020 | $63,278 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,618 | Actual |
| 2022 | $67,818 | Actual |
| 2023 | $73,542 | Actual |
| 2024 | $69,704 | Actual |
| 2025 | $80,594 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $84,591 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $88,787 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fort Dodge metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 30.0% from $61,974 (2019) to $80,594 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $88,787 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,813 (43.26%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fort Dodge 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) | $69,770 – $74,385 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $74,385 – $84,591 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $84,591 – $95,982 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $95,982 – $103,691 |
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 Fort Dodge
The job landscape for nuclear medicine technologists in Fort Dodge features a cost-of-living index at 90.4, indicating that earnings can translate into more substantial purchasing power compared to national averages. This is a vital factor for those assessing nuclear medicine technologist pay in Fort Dodge IA. Among local employers, hospital nuclear medicine departments and outpatient PET/CT imaging centers tend to offer the highest salaries, particularly for those with theranostics expertise or experience in both PET and SPECT modalities. The difference in pay can often be traced back to the level of specialization required, such as on-call coverage for radiopharmaceutical timing or the necessity of cross-training in CT imaging. To maximize compensation, professionals should seek certifications like NMTCB and develop skills in high-demand areas, particularly in new therapeutic techniques, ensuring they stand out in a competitive field that is evolving rapidly in the face of technological advancements.
More salary data for Fort Dodge, 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 $80,594 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Fort Dodge 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 Fort Dodge 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