Entry-Level Radiologic Technologist and Technician Salary in Ankeny, IA: $47,682 (2026)
Quick Answer:New radiologic technologists and technicians entering the Ankeny, IA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $47,682 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2034, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Ankeny's local price level (BEA RPP 90.4 — 10% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $52,746 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($66,869) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Starting your career as a radiologic technologist or technician in Ankeny, IA, presents both exciting opportunities and realistic salary expectations. In 2026, new graduates may anticipate an entry-level starting radiologic technologist and technician salary of around $47,682, significantly below the city median of $66,869. Although this reflects a substantial gap, it’s important to recognize the growth potential. New professionals can expect to move up the scale from the 10th percentile to the 25th percentile, reaching approximately $54,313 within the first few years. Ankeny remains a promising market for early-career professionals, especially considering the 5.29% annual growth expected in the sector, allowing new grads to develop their skills while improving earning potential over time.
About the Ankeny Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($65,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Ankeny
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 Ankeny
Entry-level radiologic technologist and technicians in Ankeny, IA typically start between $47,682 and $54,313 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $52,965 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $66,869 — 20.72% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average radiologic technology program cost in Iowa of $20,000 represents just 41.94% of the starting radiologic technologist and technician pay ($47,682/year) in Ankeny. 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 JRCERT-accredited radiography program data and state workforce commission reports. Tuition-only averages; actual costs vary by institution type (community college vs. private university).
RT Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Ankeny
- 1Research the Ankeny market: entry-level radiologic technologist and technician pay ranges from $47,682 to $54,313, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the radiologic technology field — employers in IA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Ankeny, 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 Ankeny for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Ankeny's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Radiologic Technologist and Technician Compensation Range
The radiologic technologist and technician wage spread in Ankeny is $52,965 ( 111.08%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $47,682, experienced hygienists can earn up to $100,647.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$33,556
2025 BLS Actual
$45,286
2026 Current Est.
$47,682
2019–2027 Growth
+49.6%
Salary Trajectory for Radiologic Technologists and Technicians in Ankeny (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.29% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33,556 | Actual |
| 2020 | $34,122 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,900 | Actual |
| 2022 | $38,636 | Actual |
| 2023 | $40,465 | Actual |
| 2024 | $39,316 | Actual |
| 2025 | $45,286 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47,682 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50,204 | Projected |
Entry-level radiologic technologist and technician compensation (10th percentile) in Ankeny, IA grew 35.0% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $33,556 in 2019 to $45,286 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $50,204. New graduates entering the Ankeny job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ankeny 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 5.29% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your radiologic technology Career in Ankeny
In Ankeny, some of the most prominent employers hiring entry-level radiologic technologists and technicians include regional hospital systems that often provide paid cross-training in areas like CT for first-year graduates. Outpatient imaging centers typically prefer hiring newly certified technologists with ARRT registration but may offer training for additional modalities. With the rigors of cross-training into CT, MRI, or mammography, new grads find a pathway for higher remuneration in the competitive landscape of radiology. Earning credentials from a JRCERT-accredited program, combined with ARRT national registration in radiography, can significantly influence initial pay rates. In the first few years, while the pure radiography roles may remain lower on the pay scale, positioning oneself towards cross-training can lead to a better salary trajectory beyond the mean, especially as the demand for diverse imaging capabilities continues to rise in the healthcare market across Ankeny, IA.
More salary data for Ankeny, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jordan Lee, RT(R), RT(TM)
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has over 10 years of experience in radiologic technology. They specialize in mammography and work in an outpatient imaging center.
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 radiologic technology graduates. A 5.29% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Ankeny. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Ankeny 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 5.29%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for radiologic technologist and technicians (SOC 29-2034).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, RT(R), RT(TM), a licensed radiologic technologist and technician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov