Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Chapel Hill, NC: $97,057 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Chapel Hill, NC earns a median $97,057/year (≈ $46.67/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Chapel Hill's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $103,693 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, nuclear medicine technologists in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, can expect a median annual salary of $97,057, a figure that highlights the distinctly competitive nature of the local job market, particularly when compared to the national median of $106,398. The salary for this role spans from $72,527 at the 10th percentile to $132,993 at the 90th percentile, suggesting a pay structure influenced by various factors, including credential specialization. Notably, those with PET/CT credentials often command higher compensation than their SPECT-only counterparts. These estimates, based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, reflect not only regional adjustments in pricing but also the dynamic nature of healthcare roles in Chapel Hill.
About the Chapel Hill Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $72,527 | $34.87 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $80,630 | $38.76 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $97,057 | $46.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $111,395 | $53.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $132,993 | $63.94 |
Median Salary Position
8.78% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chapel Hill
In Chapel Hill, NC, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $60,466 (2026 est.). At $97,057, the local median is 8.78% below the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Chapel Hill: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Chapel Hill Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Chapel Hill median: $97,057/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Chapel Hill Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $97,251 | -0.20% less |
| National Average | $106,398 | -8.78% less |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Chapel Hill, NC earn a median of $97,057 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.78% lower than the national median of $106,398 and 0.20% below the North Carolina state average of $97,251.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Chapel Hill 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.
Chapel Hill, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A nuclear medicine technologist earning $97,057 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $103,693 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$71,106
2025 BLS Actual
$92,470
2026 Current Est.
$97,057
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Chapel Hill (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $71,106 | Actual |
| 2020 | $72,602 | Actual |
| 2021 | $71,845 | Actual |
| 2022 | $77,811 | Actual |
| 2023 | $84,379 | Actual |
| 2024 | $82,226 | Actual |
| 2025 | $92,470 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $97,057 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $101,871 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Chapel Hill metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 30.0% from $71,106 (2019) to $92,470 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $101,871 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,765 (43.27%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chapel Hill 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) | $72,527 – $80,630 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $80,630 – $97,057 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $97,057 – $111,395 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $111,395 – $132,993 |
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 Chapel Hill
With only nine nuclear medicine technologists currently employed in chapel Hill, the local job market presents distinct challenges and opportunities. The cost of living index at 93.6 indicates a slightly lower-than-average expense for residents, which may enhance the overall take-home purchasing power despite the relatively competitive wage environment. Employers offering the highest pay include hospital nuclear medicine departments, outpatient PET/CT imaging centers, and specialized cardiology practices. The broad pay spread within Chapel Hill can be attributed to the valuable skills associated with more advanced roles, such as theranostics and cross-training in CT. To maximize earnings in this market, professionals are encouraged to seek PET/CT cross-training, gain experience in theranostics, and consider roles that require on-call coverage, as these factors can create significant pay premiums. Understanding the dynamics of employer types and credentialing will be critical for those considering a career in nuclear medicine technology in Chapel Hill, NC.
More salary data for Chapel Hill, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nuclear medicine technologists make in Chapel Hill, NC in 2026?
Is Chapel Hill, NC a good place to work as a nuclear medicine technologist?
Can nuclear medicine technologists make $100K in Chapel Hill?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted nuclear medicine technologist salary in Chapel Hill?
How much does a nuclear medicine technologist make per hour in Chapel Hill?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in North Carolina
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 $92,470 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Chapel Hill 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 Chapel Hill 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