Nuclear Med Tech Salary

Charleston vs North Charleston: Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare nuclear medicine technologist salaries between Charleston, SC and North Charleston, SC. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Charleston, SC
$104,561
$50.28/hr
North Charleston, SC
$106,791
$51.35/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCharleston, SCNorth Charleston, SC
Median Salary$104,561$106,791
Hourly Rate$50.28$51.35
Entry Level (P10)$83,853$76,923
25th Percentile$101,685$93,517
75th Percentile$104,561$123,104
Top Earner (P90)$125,711$141,188
Total Employed6022
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Charleston ($104,561) and North Charleston ($106,791) nuclear medicine technologist salaries.CharlestonNorth CharlestonMedian Salary$104,561$106,791Entry Level (P10)$83,853$76,923Top Earner (P90)$125,711$141,188US Median $106,398

Verdict

North Charleston, SC offers better overall compensation for nuclear medicine technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Charleston.

The salary gap between Charleston and North Charleston is $2,230 (2.13%). North Charleston's median is +0.37% compared to the US national median of $106,398.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Charleston spans $41,858,North Charleston spans $64,265. North Charleston has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced nuclear medicine technologists.

Charleston
P10 (Entry)$83,853
P25$101,685
Median$104,561
P75$104,561
P90 (Top)$125,711
North Charleston
P10 (Entry)$76,923
P25$93,517
Median$106,791
P75$123,104
P90 (Top)$141,188

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, North Charleston ($116,711 effective) pays 12.69% more than Charleston ($103,565 effective).

Charleston
Nominal: $104,561
CoL Index: 100.962
Adjusted: $103,565
North Charleston
Nominal: $106,791
CoL Index: 91.5
Adjusted: $116,711

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Charleston if…

  • Larger job market (60 employed)
  • You prefer the South Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose North Charleston if…

  • Higher median salary ($106,791/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($141,188)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $116,711)
  • You prefer the South Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nuclear medicine technologist salaries in Charleston grew 33.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 31.5% growth in North Charleston over the same period.

Charleston, SC

+33.7%

$74,490 (2019) → $99,620 (2025)

North Charleston, SC

+31.5%

$77,396 (2024) → $101,744 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nuclear medicine technologists more: Charleston or North Charleston?

North Charleston has a higher median nuclear medicine technologist salary at $106,791/year, compared to Charleston at $104,561/year — a difference of $2,230 (2.13%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Charleston and North Charleston?

Charleston nuclear medicine technologists earn $50.28/hr while North Charleston hygienists earn $51.35/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Charleston to North Charleston as a nuclear medicine technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Charleston and North Charleston. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Charleston = $103,565, North Charleston = $116,711), job availability (60 vs 22 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nuclear medicine technologists earn in Charleston vs North Charleston?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nuclear medicine technologists earn $83,853 in Charleston and $76,923 in North Charleston. The Charleston area offers higher starting salaries.
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