Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Gastonia, NC: $95,151 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Gastonia, NC earns a median $95,151/year (≈ $45.74/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Gastonia's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $101,657 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.1% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, a nuclear medicine technologist in Gastonia, North Carolina, is projected to earn a median annual salary of $95,151. This figure is notably lower than the national median of $106,398, reflecting some regional salary compression, particularly for those focused solely on SPECT technology. The local salary range spans from $74,100 at the 10th percentile to $124,491 at the 90th percentile, showcasing significant variability based on experience and specialization. These estimates are informed by 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local economic conditions, which also include considerations for the growing demand for theranostics and integrated PET/CT skill sets that can command a premium in the job market.
About the Gastonia Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $74,100 | $35.62 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $81,368 | $39.12 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $95,151 | $45.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $109,519 | $52.66 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $124,491 | $59.85 |
Median Salary Position
10.57% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Gastonia
In Gastonia, NC, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $50,391 (2026 est.). At $95,151, the local median is 10.57% below the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Gastonia: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Gastonia Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Gastonia median: $95,151/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Gastonia Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $97,193 | -2.10% less |
| National Average | $106,398 | -10.57% less |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Gastonia, NC earn a median of $95,151 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.57% lower than the national median of $106,398 and 2.10% below the North Carolina state average of $97,193.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Gastonia 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.
Gastonia, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A nuclear medicine technologist earning $95,151 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $101,657 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
$69,711
2025 BLS Actual
$90,655
2026 Current Est.
$95,151
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Gastonia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $69,711 | Actual |
| 2020 | $71,177 | Actual |
| 2021 | $70,435 | Actual |
| 2022 | $76,284 | Actual |
| 2023 | $82,723 | Actual |
| 2024 | $79,806 | Actual |
| 2025 | $90,655 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $95,151 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $99,871 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Gastonia metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 30.0% from $69,711 (2019) to $90,655 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $99,871 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,160 (43.26%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Gastonia 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) | $74,100 – $81,368 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $81,368 – $95,151 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $95,151 – $109,519 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $109,519 – $124,491 |
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 Gastonia
The job market in Gastonia is relatively modest, with only 16 nuclear medicine technologists currently employed in the area. However, the cost of living index stands at 93.6, which is below the national average, suggesting a better purchasing power for the local populace compared to other regions. Employers that tend to offer the highest pay include hospital nuclear medicine departments and specialized outpatient PET/CT imaging centers, particularly where theranostics like lutetium-177 therapies are utilized. This pay disparity can be attributed to the experience required for PET/CT roles and the demand for cross-training in CT procedures. For those looking to maximize their nuclear medicine technologist pay in Gastonia, pursuing additional certifications in advanced imaging technologies, gaining experience in theranostics, or seeking positions that require on-call coverage can be advantageous strategies to enhance their compensation potential.
More salary data for Gastonia, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nuclear medicine technologists make in Gastonia, NC in 2026?
Is Gastonia, NC a good place to work as a nuclear medicine technologist?
Can nuclear medicine technologists make $100K in Gastonia?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted nuclear medicine technologist salary in Gastonia?
How much does a nuclear medicine technologist make per hour in Gastonia?
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 $90,655 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Gastonia 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 Gastonia 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