Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay in Wilmington, NC: $48.75 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nuclear medicine technologist working in Wilmington, NC runs $48.75 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $101,412 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Weighted against Wilmington's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.4, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $50.56 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $60,845 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Wilmington, North Carolina, nuclear medicine technologists earn a median hourly rate of $48.75, which is slightly below the national median of $51.15. This rate opens up opportunities for professionals seeking part-time or per-diem positions, enabling them to work three days a week in diverse settings such as hospital nuclear medicine suites, outpatient PET/CT imaging centers, and theranostics infusion suites. The hourly pay ranges from approximately $33.85 for entry-level positions to $51.89 for those at the top of the pay scale, reflecting variations in experience and specialization within the field. The data presented here is derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data and provides key insights into the earning potential for this crucial healthcare role in Wilmington.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33.85 | $270.80 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43.01 | $344.10 |
| Median (P50) | $48.75 | $390.03 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $51.89 | $415.14 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $51.89 | $415.14 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Wilmington
Based on $48.75/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $48.75/hr, a nuclear medicine technologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Wilmington, NC can expect to earn approximately $101,408 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $58,505. With a cost-of-living index of 96.42 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Wilmington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Wilmington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,950.16 | $8,451 | $101,408 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,170.09 | $5,070 | $60,845 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $780.06 | $3,380 | $40,563 |
Compare NMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nuclear Medicine Technologist (Wilmington) | $48.75 |
| Radiologic Technologist (National Avg) | $35.27 |
| MRI Technologist (National Avg) | $40.93 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (National Avg) | $42.41 |
| Radiation Therapist (National Avg) | $48.35 |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Wilmington, NC earn a median of $101,412 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.69% lower than the national median of $106,398 and 4.30% above the North Carolina state average of $97,231.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $48.75/hr = $60,845/year (purchasing power: $63,103).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $101,408/year (purchasing power: $105,171).
CoL index: 96.422 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$35.72/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$46.45/hr
2026 Current Est.
$48.75/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Wilmington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35.72/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $36.47/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $36.09/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $39.09/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $42.39/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $39.58/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $46.45/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48.75/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51.17/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nuclear medicine technologists in Wilmington grew 30.0% from $35.72/hr (2019) to $46.45/hr (2025). At a 4.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $51.17/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem nuclear medicine technologists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wilmington 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 4.96% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Nuclear Medicine Technologist in Wilmington
For those considering part-time positions, a nuclear medicine technologist working a three-day week, totaling around 24 hours, can expect to earn an annual take-home amount significantly lower than their full-time peers. Per-diem nuclear medicine technologists often command higher rates, billing anywhere from $55 to $80 per hour, especially in specialized settings such as outpatient oncology or when providing theranostics services. Hourly rates can differ markedly based on employer type; for example, working in a VA medical center might offer different compensation compared to a private outpatient PET/CT service. Some technologists may opt for the stability of a full-time position with benefits, even at a lower hourly rate, to secure health insurance and other perks. For those negotiating their hourly wage in Wilmington, it’s beneficial to emphasize any additional certifications or specialized training, particularly in emerging fields like theranostics, to maximize earning potential.
More salary data for Wilmington, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for nuclear medicine technologists in Wilmington in 2026?
How much do part-time nuclear medicine technologists make in Wilmington?
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 4.96% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for nuclear medicine technologists in Wilmington. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 2-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 4.96%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for nuclear medicine technologists (SOC 29-2033).
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