Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Garner, NC: $93,271 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Garner, NC earns a median $93,271/year (≈ $44.84/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Garner's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $99,649 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.1% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Garner, NC, the projected median annual salary for nuclear medicine technologists reaches $93,271 in 2026, reflecting local estimates based on 2025 BLS data. The salary range for technologists in this area spans from $76,174 at the 10th percentile to $123,769 at the 90th percentile, offering a wide array of earning potential for professionals at different stages of their careers. The local salary figures align with a growing demand for specialized expertise, particularly in theranostics where practitioners can command a premium due to advancements in radiopharmaceutical therapies. Given the dynamic job market of Garner, a strategic focus on obtaining credentials that cover both PET/CT and SPECT technologies could enhance earning power and job opportunities.
About the Garner Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $76,174 | $36.62 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $82,156 | $39.50 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $93,271 | $44.84 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $108,810 | $52.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $123,769 | $59.50 |
Median Salary Position
12.34% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Garner
In Garner, NC, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $47,595 (2026 est.). At $93,271, the local median is 12.34% below the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Garner: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Garner Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Garner median: $93,271/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Garner Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $97,258 | -4.10% less |
| National Average | $106,398 | -12.34% less |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Garner, NC earn a median of $93,271 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.34% lower than the national median of $106,398 and 4.10% below the North Carolina state average of $97,258.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Garner 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.
Garner, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A nuclear medicine technologist earning $93,271 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $99,649 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$68,333
2025 BLS Actual
$88,863
2026 Current Est.
$93,271
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Garner (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $68,333 | Actual |
| 2020 | $69,770 | Actual |
| 2021 | $69,043 | Actual |
| 2022 | $74,776 | Actual |
| 2023 | $81,087 | Actual |
| 2024 | $79,018 | Actual |
| 2025 | $88,863 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $93,271 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $97,897 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Garner metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 30.0% from $68,333 (2019) to $88,863 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $97,897 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,564 (43.26%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Garner 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) | $76,174 – $82,156 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $82,156 – $93,271 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $93,271 – $108,810 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $108,810 – $123,769 |
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 Garner
Within Garner’s current job market, only four nuclear medicine technologists are employed, suggesting a relatively limited but specialized workforce. The cost of living index, measured at 93.6, indicates that residents enjoy a living experience slightly below the national average, potentially allowing for better purchasing power. Among local employers, hospital nuclear medicine departments and outpatient PET/CT imaging centers typically offer the highest salaries, especially for those with skills in theranostics and CT cross-training. Factors influencing salary disparities include the credential mix, on-call responsibilities, and the structural differences between hospital and outpatient settings. For technologists looking to maximize their pay in Garner, actively pursuing cross-training opportunities, and gaining experience in both PET/CT and theranostics could be effective strategies for enhancing compensation.
More salary data for Garner, 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 $88,863 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Garner 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 Garner 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