Radiologic Technologist and Technician Salary in Des Moines, IA: $71,218 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time radiologic technologist and technician in Des Moines, IA earns a median $71,218/year (≈ $34.24/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2034). Once you factor in Des Moines's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.7), that paycheck buys what $77,663 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.5% above the Iowa state average.
Official BLS data · View source
The radiologic technologist and technician salary in Des Moines, IA, averages a median annual value of $71,218 according to 2026 estimates based on 2025 BLS data. This salary reflects a range from $61,542 at the lower end (P10) to $91,097 for the higher end (P90). Radiologic professionals with cross-training in modalities such as CT and MRI often find themselves at an advantage, as each additional credential significantly enhances earning potential. In the local job market, where imaging roles are essential, research indicates strong demand for skilled practitioners, creating opportunities to increase salaries further through specialized training and multi-modal capabilities.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $61,542 | $29.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $66,396 | $31.92 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $71,218 | $34.24 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $84,285 | $40.53 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $91,097 | $43.79 |
Median Salary Position
15.57% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Des Moines
In Des Moines, IA, the radiologic technologist and technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $29,555 (2026 est.). At $71,218, the local median is 15.57% below the national median of $84,348.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Des Moines: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Des Moines Radiologic Technologist and Technician Pay Compares
Des Moines median: $71,218/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Des Moines Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $68,810 | +3.50% more |
| National Average | $84,348 | -15.57% less |
Radiologic Technologist and Technicians in Des Moines, IA earn a median of $71,218 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.57% lower than the national median of $84,348 and 3.50% above the Iowa state average of $68,810.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Des Moines has a cost of living 8.30% 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 91.701 (below the national average of 100). A radiologic technologist and technician earning $71,218 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $77,663 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.05% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$54,620
2025 BLS Actual
$67,640
2026 Current Est.
$71,218
2019–2027 Growth
+37.3%
Salary Trajectory for Radiologic Technologists and Technicians in Des Moines (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.29% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,620 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,230 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,360 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,940 | Actual |
| 2023 | $63,170 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,830 | Actual |
| 2025 | $67,640 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $71,218 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $74,986 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Des Moines metropolitan area, the median radiologic technologist and technician salary grew 23.8% from $54,620 (2019) to $67,640 (2025). At a 5.29% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $74,986 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,366 (37.29%) 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 5.29% 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) | $61,542 – $66,396 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $66,396 – $71,218 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $71,218 – $84,285 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $84,285 – $91,097 |
RT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual radiologic technologist and technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Radiologic Technologist and Technician Job Market in Des Moines
The employment landscape for radiologic technologists and technicians in Des Moines is robust, with approximately 560 professionals currently practicing in the area. Coupled with a cost-of-living index of 91.701, these salaries offer a competitive edge in terms of purchasing power. Facilities such as hospital imaging departments and outpatient imaging centers typically offer some of the highest pay scales, while travel rad tech agencies are also known for appealing remuneration packages. The discrepancy between lower and higher salary figures can be attributed to various factors, including modality cross-training, shift differentials, call coverage requirements, and additional stipends for leadership roles. For those looking to maximize their radiologic technologist and technician pay in Des Moines, pursuing cross-training opportunities and gaining credentials in advanced imaging modalities like mammography or CT can prove beneficial.
More salary data for Des Moines, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do radiologic technologists and technicians make in Des Moines, IA in 2026?
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Can radiologic technologists and technicians make $100K in Des Moines?
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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
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 $67,640 for radiologic technologists and techniciansin the Des Moines metropolitan area. A 5.29% 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
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