Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in North Carolina: $96,996 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across North Carolina's 44 metropolitan areas, the average median nuclear medicine technologist pay sits at $96,996/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2033. Because North Carolina sits at BEA RPP 93.6 (6% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $103,628 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Wilmington ($96,620), Winston-Salem ($96,000), Durham ($95,451).
In North Carolina, nuclear medicine technologists can expect to earn an average median salary of $96,996 in 2026, which is approximately 8.8% lower than the national median of $106,398. The salary range across the state varies, with Wilmington offering the highest average salary at $101,412 while Fayetteville has the lowest at $87,463. This nearly $14,000 gap can be attributed to factors such as local cost of living, regional demand for medical services, and the concentration of healthcare facilities. North Carolina requires nuclear medicine technologists to hold specific state licenses and adhere to outlined scope of practice laws, which may influence job availability and compensation. The state has a growing demand for healthcare services, contributing to an expected annual growth rate of 4.96% for this profession, driven by advancements in medical imaging technology and an aging population. As of now, 907 nuclear medicine technologists are employed across the state, with top cities for employment projected to include Wilmington ($101,412), Winston-Salem ($100,762), and Durham ($100,185). This positive outlook indicates that job opportunities in this field are on the rise, reflecting both local healthcare developments and national trends in the industry.
North Carolina Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary Range
Overall salary range in North Carolina: $68,948 (lowest entry-level) to $142,208 (highest top earner)
North Carolina vs National Average
North Carolina nuclear medicine technologists earn 8.84% less than the national median ($-9,402/year difference).
North Carolina Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary Distribution (2026)
Nuclear Medicine Technologist salaries in North Carolina range from $73,865 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $124,790 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $96,996. The North Carolina median is $9,402 below the US national median of $106,398. The average hourly rate is $46.63/hr. Approximately 907 nuclear medicine technologists are employed across 44 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$71,572
2025 BLS Actual
$92,412
2026 Current Est.
$96,996
2019–2027 Growth
+42.2%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in North Carolina (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $71,572 | Actual |
| 2020 | $70,602 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,468 | Actual |
| 2022 | $79,848 | Actual |
| 2023 | $83,589 | Actual |
| 2024 | $84,575 | Actual |
| 2025 | $92,412 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $96,996 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $101,807 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the North Carolina metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 29.1% from $71,572 (2019) to $92,412 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $101,807 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,235 (42.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the North Carolina 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in North Carolina
Lowest Paying Cities in North Carolina
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Fayetteville | $87,463 |
| Pinehurst | $90,116 |
| Leland | $90,283 |
| Carrboro | $91,636 |
| Indian Trail | $91,995 |
Best Value Cities for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in North Carolina
When adjusted for local cost of living, these North Carolina cities offer the most purchasing power for nuclear medicine technologists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winston-Salem | $100,762 | 93.6 | $107,652 |
| Durham | $100,185 | 93.6 | $107,035 |
| Greensboro | $100,089 | 93.6 | $106,933 |
| Concord | $98,815 | 93.6 | $105,572 |
| Wilmington | $101,412 | 96.422 | $105,175 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in North Carolina
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $73,865 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $96,996 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $124,790 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across North Carolina metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 44 Cities in North Carolina
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wilmington | $101,412 |
| 2 | Winston-Salem | $100,762 |
| 3 | Durham | $100,185 |
| 4 | Greensboro | $100,089 |
| 5 | Concord | $98,815 |
| 6 | Huntersville | $98,266 |
| 7 | Kannapolis | $98,111 |
| 8 | Apex | $97,880 |
| 9 | Jacksonville | $97,704 |
| 10 | Raleigh | $97,266 |
| 11 | Charlotte | $97,224 |
| 12 | Chapel Hill | $97,057 |
| 13 | Cary | $96,804 |
| 14 | High Point | $96,685 |
| 15 | Statesville | $96,416 |
| 16 | Kernersville | $96,333 |
| 17 | Matthews | $96,107 |
| 18 | Cornelius | $95,941 |
| 19 | Winston | $95,881 |
| 20 | Sanford | $95,858 |
| 21 | Wake Forest | $95,856 |
| 22 | Morrisville | $95,813 |
| 23 | Fuquay-Varina | $95,557 |
| 24 | Salisbury | $95,541 |
| 25 | Thomasville | $95,382 |
| 26 | New Bern | $95,345 |
| 27 | Mint Hill | $95,323 |
| 28 | Burlington | $95,255 |
| 29 | Gastonia | $95,151 |
| 30 | Hickory | $95,103 |
| 31 | Greenville | $94,955 |
| 32 | Asheville | $94,839 |
| 33 | Rocky Mount | $94,431 |
| 34 | Holly Springs | $93,813 |
| 35 | Mooresville | $93,519 |
| 36 | Monroe | $93,482 |
| 37 | Garner | $93,271 |
| 38 | Wilson | $93,202 |
| 39 | Boone | $92,798 |
| 40 | Indian Trail | $91,995 |
| 41 | Carrboro | $91,636 |
| 42 | Leland | $90,283 |
| 43 | Pinehurst | $90,116 |
| 44 | Fayetteville | $87,463 |
More North Carolina Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore nuclear medicine technologist hourly pay in North Carolina cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new nuclear medicine technologists.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced nuclear medicine technologists.
Compare Cities in North Carolina
View all comparisons →Explore More Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nuclear medicine technologists make in North Carolina in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for nuclear medicine technologists in North Carolina?
How does North Carolina nuclear medicine technologist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level nuclear medicine technologist salary in North Carolina?
How many nuclear medicine technologists are employed in North Carolina?
Which North Carolina city offers the best value for nuclear medicine technologists?
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
Statewide 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. A 4.96% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 nuclear medicine technologist compensation across North Carolina. State averages are employment-weighted across 44 metro areas — larger metro areas with more nuclear medicine technologistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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