Entry-Level Radiologic Technologist and Technician Salary in Sioux City, IA: $54,330 (2026)
Quick Answer:New radiologic technologists and technicians entering the Sioux City, IA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $54,330 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2034, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Sioux City's local price level (BEA RPP 86.5 — 14% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $62,843 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($67,659) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
Radiologic technologists and technicians entering the workforce in Sioux City can expect a starting salary of approximately $54,330 in 2026, which is notably lower than the city’s median annual salary of $67,659. This gap highlights the growth trajectory anticipated for new graduates over their first few years, with salaries potentially increasing to around $63,722 as they gain experience and progress toward the median. Given the projected annual growth rate of 5.29%, Sioux City presents a favorable market for aspiring professionals in this field, where entry-level positions can serve as a solid foundation for enhanced earning potential through experience and specialized training.
Career Earnings Timeline in Sioux City
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 Sioux City
Entry-level radiologic technologist and technicians in Sioux City, IA typically start between $54,330 and $63,722 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $28,554 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $67,659 — 19.79% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average radiologic technology program cost in Iowa of $20,000 represents just 36.81% of the starting radiologic technologist and technician pay ($54,330/year) in Sioux City. 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 Sioux City
- 1Research the Sioux City market: entry-level radiologic technologist and technician pay ranges from $54,330 to $63,722, 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 Sioux City, 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 Sioux City for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Sioux City'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 Sioux City is $28,554 ( 52.56%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $54,330, experienced hygienists can earn up to $82,884.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$39,020
2025 BLS Actual
$51,600
2026 Current Est.
$54,330
2019–2027 Growth
+46.6%
Salary Trajectory for Radiologic Technologists and Technicians in Sioux City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.29% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39,020 | Actual |
| 2020 | $40,570 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,380 | Actual |
| 2022 | $43,840 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,910 | Actual |
| 2024 | $50,390 | Actual |
| 2025 | $51,600 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $54,330 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57,204 | Projected |
Entry-level radiologic technologist and technician compensation (10th percentile) in Sioux City, IA grew 32.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $39,020 in 2019 to $51,600 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $57,204. New graduates entering the Sioux City job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sioux City 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 Sioux City
In Sioux City, various employers provide opportunities for new rad tech graduates, with hospital systems being the primary recruiters due to their need for radiologic services and cross-training in CT and other modalities within the first couple of years. Outpatient imaging chains are also on the lookout for cross-trained technicians who can handle diverse roles. To increase starting pay, obtaining credentials such as an Associate's or Bachelor's degree from a JRCERT-accredited program, along with national ARRT registration, is advisable. New graduates should consider cross-training into modalities like CT, MRI, or mammography, as these specializations tend to command higher salaries over time. Realistically, in the early years, early-career professionals can expect modest growth in their pay, making strategic choices in education and specialization essential for career advancement in the competitive field of radiologic technology in Sioux City, IA.
More salary data for Sioux City, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for radiologic technologists and technicians in Sioux City in 2026?
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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 Sioux City. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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