Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Asheville, NC: $94,839 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Asheville, NC earns a median $94,839/year (≈ $45.59/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Asheville's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $101,324 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.5% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a 2026 projected median annual salary of $94,839, the nuclear medicine technologist salary in Asheville, NC, reflects a competitive local market, especially when considering the growing impact of theranostics in the healthcare field. The salary range spans from $74,961 at the 10th percentile to $125,584 at the 90th percentile, indicating a strong earning potential conditioned by experience and specialization. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional economic factors, present a nuanced compensation picture that may benefit professionals who engage with the latest radiopharmaceutical therapies. As Asheville's medical sector evolves, technologists who are adept in PET/CT and theranostic procedures, such as Lutathera and Pluvicto, can look forward to enhanced opportunities and salary increments.
About the Asheville Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $74,961 | $36.04 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $79,780 | $38.35 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $94,839 | $45.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $109,843 | $52.81 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $125,584 | $60.37 |
Median Salary Position
10.86% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Asheville
In Asheville, NC, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $50,623 (2026 est.). At $94,839, the local median is 10.86% below the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Asheville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Asheville Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Asheville median: $94,839/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Asheville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $97,270 | -2.50% less |
| National Average | $106,398 | -10.86% less |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Asheville, NC earn a median of $94,839 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.86% lower than the national median of $106,398 and 2.50% below the North Carolina state average of $97,270.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Asheville 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.
Asheville, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A nuclear medicine technologist earning $94,839 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $101,324 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$69,481
2025 BLS Actual
$90,357
2026 Current Est.
$94,839
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Asheville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $69,481 | Actual |
| 2020 | $70,943 | Actual |
| 2021 | $70,203 | Actual |
| 2022 | $76,033 | Actual |
| 2023 | $82,451 | Actual |
| 2024 | $80,347 | Actual |
| 2025 | $90,357 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $94,839 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $99,543 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Asheville metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 30.0% from $69,481 (2019) to $90,357 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $99,543 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,062 (43.27%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Asheville 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) | $74,961 – $79,780 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $79,780 – $94,839 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $94,839 – $109,843 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $109,843 – $125,584 |
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 Asheville
Analysis of the local job market reveals that only 14 nuclear medicine technologists are currently employed in Asheville, illustrating a relatively small but stable workforce. Given the cost-of-living index of 93.6, which is below the national average, these professionals enjoy a favorable purchasing power that enhances their overall compensation experience. Employers within the region, including hospital nuclear medicine departments and outpatient PET/CT imaging centers, tend to pay more compared to other settings such as cardiology practices or mobile imaging companies. The pay spread is influenced by various factors, such as credentialing variations between PET/CT and SPECT roles, experience in theranostics, and the demands of on-call radiopharmaceutical timing. To maximize pay within this Asheville market, technologists should focus on obtaining dual certification in CT, gaining experience in theranostic therapies, and seeking positions in high-paying specialties that prioritize advanced imaging techniques.
More salary data for Asheville, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nuclear medicine technologists make in Asheville, NC in 2026?
Is Asheville, NC a good place to work as a nuclear medicine technologist?
Can nuclear medicine technologists make $100K in Asheville?
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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 $90,357 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Asheville 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 Asheville 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