Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Birmingham, AL: $89,951 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Birmingham, AL earns a median $89,951/year (≈ $43.24/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Birmingham's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.6), that paycheck buys what $98,153 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.8% below the Alabama state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, those entering the field of nuclear medicine in Birmingham, Alabama can anticipate an annual salary around $89,951. The full compensation spectrum ranges from $81,942 at the lower end to $105,884 for those at the high end, reflecting the split between PET/CT and SPECT-only credentials. This pay scale is backed by official BLS OEWS surveys and highlights the competitive nature of the local job market for nuclear medicine technologists. Given the growing emphasis on advanced imaging techniques and theranostics, individuals with PET/CT certification generally command higher compensation, driving the salary differentiation within Birmingham's healthcare landscape.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $81,942 | $39.40 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $86,456 | $41.56 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $89,951 | $43.24 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $94,443 | $45.41 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $105,884 | $50.91 |
Median Salary Position
15.46% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Birmingham
In Birmingham, AL, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $23,942 (2026 est.). At $89,951, the local median is 15.46% below the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Birmingham: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Birmingham Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Birmingham median: $89,951/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Birmingham Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $93,504 | -3.80% less |
| National Average | $106,398 | -15.46% less |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Birmingham, AL earn a median of $89,951 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.46% lower than the national median of $106,398 and 3.80% below the Alabama state average of $93,504.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Birmingham has a cost of living 8.36% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Birmingham, AL has a cost-of-living index of 91.644 (below the national average of 100). A nuclear medicine technologist earning $89,951 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $98,153 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.12% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$64,280
2025 BLS Actual
$85,700
2026 Current Est.
$89,951
2019–2027 Growth
+46.9%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Birmingham (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,280 | Actual |
| 2020 | $66,940 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,920 | Actual |
| 2022 | $71,900 | Actual |
| 2023 | $76,630 | Actual |
| 2024 | $80,110 | Actual |
| 2025 | $85,700 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $89,951 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $94,412 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Birmingham metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 33.3% from $64,280 (2019) to $85,700 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $94,412 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,132 (46.88%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Birmingham 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $81,942 – $86,456 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $86,456 – $89,951 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $89,951 – $94,443 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $94,443 – $105,884 |
NMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nuclear medicine technologist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Job Market in Birmingham
With about 90 nuclear medicine technologists currently employed in Birmingham, the local market appears stable, though the cost of living index of 91.644 indicates a below-average living expense compared to national metrics. This lower cost of living can enhance take-home purchasing power for professionals in the area. Employers in Birmingham that typically offer the highest wages include hospital nuclear medicine departments and outpatient PET/CT imaging centers, as well as specialized practices in nuclear cardiology and theranostics. Factors influencing salary variance within the market include the credential mix—specifically the demand for PET/CT versus SPECT expertise—as well as the potential for additional pay through on-call coverage or cross-training in CT. Those looking to maximize their nuclear medicine technologist pay in Birmingham should consider pursuing advanced certifications, gaining experience in high-demand specialties, and seeking positions that leverage both PET/CT skills and versatility in theranostics preparations like lutetium-177 therapies.
More salary data for Birmingham, AL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
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 $85,700 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Birmingham metropolitan area. A 4.96% 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 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