Nuclear Med Tech Salary

Burlington vs Charlotte: Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary (2026)

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

Burlington, NC
$95,255
$45.79/hr
Charlotte, NC
$97,224
$46.75/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBurlington, NCCharlotte, NC
Median Salary$95,255$97,224
Hourly Rate$45.79$46.75
Entry Level (P10)$75,559$70,691
25th Percentile$82,710$85,081
75th Percentile$112,903$105,684
Top Earner (P90)$130,434$115,508
Total Employed14130
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Burlington ($95,255) and Charlotte ($97,224) nuclear medicine technologist salaries.BurlingtonCharlotteMedian Salary$95,255$97,224Entry Level (P10)$75,559$70,691Top Earner (P90)$130,434$115,508US Median $106,398

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Burlington and Charlotte is $1,969 (2.07%). Charlotte's median is -8.62% compared to the US national median of $106,398.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Burlington spans $54,875,Charlotte spans $44,817. Burlington has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Burlington
P10 (Entry)$75,559
P25$82,710
Median$95,255
P75$112,903
P90 (Top)$130,434
Charlotte
P10 (Entry)$70,691
P25$85,081
Median$97,224
P75$105,684
P90 (Top)$115,508

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Burlington ($101,768 effective) pays 1.90% more than Charlotte ($99,873 effective).

Burlington
Nominal: $95,255
CoL Index: 93.6
Adjusted: $101,768
Charlotte
Nominal: $97,224
CoL Index: 97.348
Adjusted: $99,873

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Burlington if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($130,434)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $101,768)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Charlotte if…

  • Higher median salary ($97,224/year)
  • Larger job market (130 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 Burlington grew 12.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 30.7% growth in Charlotte over the same period.

Burlington, NC

+12.5%

$80,700 (2024) → $90,754 (2025)

Charlotte, NC

+30.7%

$70,880 (2019) → $92,630 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nuclear medicine technologists more: Burlington or Charlotte?

Charlotte has a higher median nuclear medicine technologist salary at $97,224/year, compared to Burlington at $95,255/year — a difference of $1,969 (2.07%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Burlington and Charlotte?

Burlington nuclear medicine technologists earn $45.79/hr while Charlotte hygienists earn $46.75/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Burlington to Charlotte as a nuclear medicine technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Burlington and Charlotte. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Burlington = $101,768, Charlotte = $99,873), job availability (14 vs 130 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nuclear medicine technologists earn in Burlington vs Charlotte?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nuclear medicine technologists earn $75,559 in Burlington and $70,691 in Charlotte. The Burlington area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

AC

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