Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Apex, NC: $97,880 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Apex, NC earns a median $97,880/year (≈ $47.05/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Apex's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $104,573 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% above the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Apex, North Carolina, the expected median salary for nuclear medicine technologists reaches $97,880 in 2026, reflecting the demand and specialization in this field. While salaries for these professionals range from $74,484 on the lower end (P10) to as high as $126,010 for the top earners (P90), the intersection of credential types—particularly between PET/CT and SPECT-only certifications—significantly influences this pay spectrum. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data projected for 2026 with regional cost adjustments, showcase how the local market is aligning, even as the national median for similar roles stands at $106,398. Considering the ongoing growth in nuclear medicine, particularly in PET/CT and theranostics—a rapidly expanding segment—the market in Apex shows promising opportunities for both new and experienced technologists.
About the Apex Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $74,484 | $35.81 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $86,051 | $41.38 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $97,880 | $47.05 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $111,204 | $53.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $126,010 | $60.58 |
Median Salary Position
8.01% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Apex
In Apex, NC, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $51,526 (2026 est.). At $97,880, the local median is 8.01% below the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Apex: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Apex Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Apex median: $97,880/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Apex Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $97,200 | +0.70% more |
| National Average | $106,398 | -8.01% less |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Apex, NC earn a median of $97,880 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.01% lower than the national median of $106,398 and 0.70% above the North Carolina state average of $97,200.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Apex has a cost of living 6.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Apex, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A nuclear medicine technologist earning $97,880 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $104,573 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$71,710
2025 BLS Actual
$93,255
2026 Current Est.
$97,880
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Apex (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $71,710 | Actual |
| 2020 | $73,219 | Actual |
| 2021 | $72,455 | Actual |
| 2022 | $78,471 | Actual |
| 2023 | $85,095 | Actual |
| 2024 | $82,924 | Actual |
| 2025 | $93,255 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $97,880 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $102,735 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Apex metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 30.0% from $71,710 (2019) to $93,255 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $102,735 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,025 (43.26%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Apex 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) | $74,484 – $86,051 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $86,051 – $97,880 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $97,880 – $111,204 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $111,204 – $126,010 |
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 Apex
Looking at the job landscape, there are currently 16 nuclear medicine technologists employed in Apex, NC. The local cost-of-living index, sitting at 93.6, suggests that salaries may stretch further for residents compared to higher-cost areas. Among various employers, facility-based practices, including hospital nuclear medicine departments and outpatient PET/CT imaging centers, generally tend to offer more robust compensation packages. The range in pay can be attributed to factors such as the level of expertise in PET/CT versus SPECT-only imaging, experience in theranostics, and roles requiring on-call coverage for radiopharmaceutical administrations. For technologists aiming to maximize their earnings in Apex, pursuing cross-training in CT modalities or seeking positions in high-demand sectors, like mobile PET imaging services, could enhance both job satisfaction and financial returns.
More salary data for Apex, NC:
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 $93,255 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Apex 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
Salary data for Apex is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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