Nuclear Med Tech Salary

Apex vs Raleigh: Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare nuclear medicine technologist salaries between Apex, NC and Raleigh, NC. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Apex, NC
$97,880
$47.05/hr
Raleigh, NC
$97,266
$46.76/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricApex, NCRaleigh, NC
Median Salary$97,880$97,266
Hourly Rate$47.05$46.76
Entry Level (P10)$74,484$68,948
25th Percentile$86,051$82,152
75th Percentile$111,204$102,126
Top Earner (P90)$126,010$114,291
Total Employed1670
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Apex ($97,880) and Raleigh ($97,266) nuclear medicine technologist salaries.ApexRaleighMedian Salary$97,880$97,266Entry Level (P10)$74,484$68,948Top Earner (P90)$126,010$114,291US Median $106,398

Verdict

Apex, NC offers better overall compensation for nuclear medicine technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Raleigh.

The salary gap between Apex and Raleigh is $614 (0.63%). Apex's median is -8.01% compared to the US national median of $106,398.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Apex spans $51,526,Raleigh spans $45,343. Apex has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Apex
P10 (Entry)$74,484
P25$86,051
Median$97,880
P75$111,204
P90 (Top)$126,010
Raleigh
P10 (Entry)$68,948
P25$82,152
Median$97,266
P75$102,126
P90 (Top)$114,291

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Apex ($104,573 effective) pays 5.53% more than Raleigh ($99,092 effective).

Apex
Nominal: $97,880
CoL Index: 93.6
Adjusted: $104,573
Raleigh
Nominal: $97,266
CoL Index: 98.157
Adjusted: $99,092

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Apex if…

  • Higher median salary ($97,880/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($126,010)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $104,573)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Raleigh if…

  • Larger job market (70 employed)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nuclear medicine technologist salaries in Apex grew 12.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 31.9% growth in Raleigh over the same period.

Apex, NC

+12.5%

$82,924 (2024) → $93,255 (2025)

Raleigh, NC

+31.9%

$70,250 (2019) → $92,670 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nuclear medicine technologists more: Apex or Raleigh?

Apex has a higher median nuclear medicine technologist salary at $97,880/year, compared to Raleigh at $97,266/year — a difference of $614 (0.63%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Apex and Raleigh?

Apex nuclear medicine technologists earn $47.05/hr while Raleigh hygienists earn $46.76/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Apex to Raleigh as a nuclear medicine technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Apex and Raleigh. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Apex = $104,573, Raleigh = $99,092), job availability (16 vs 70 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nuclear medicine technologists earn in Apex vs Raleigh?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nuclear medicine technologists earn $74,484 in Apex and $68,948 in Raleigh. The Apex area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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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.

Clinically reviewed by David Martinez, BS, CNMTData verified by Fatima Nasir, MS, CNMT

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 4.96% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

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