Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Hickory, NC: $95,103 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Hickory, NC earns a median $95,103/year (≈ $45.72/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Hickory's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $101,606 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.2% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, nuclear medicine technologists in Hickory, North Carolina, command a median annual salary of $95,103, which is notably lower than the national median of $106,398. Salary ranges in this area extend from $73,279 at the 10th percentile to $126,421 at the 90th percentile. Factors contributing to this pay disparity include the difference in credentials, particularly those with PET/CT qualifications earning higher wages than their SPECT-only counterparts. Given the region's emphasis on advanced imaging, technologists with specialized training are more competitive in the job market. As Hickory continues to develop its healthcare framework, the demand for certified nuclear medicine technologists with PET/CT accreditation suggests a robust employment landscape.
About the Hickory Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $73,279 | $35.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $80,229 | $38.57 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $95,103 | $45.72 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $107,513 | $51.69 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $126,421 | $60.78 |
Median Salary Position
10.62% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hickory
In Hickory, NC, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $53,142 (2026 est.). At $95,103, the local median is 10.62% below the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Hickory: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Hickory Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Hickory median: $95,103/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Hickory Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $97,243 | -2.20% less |
| National Average | $106,398 | -10.62% less |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Hickory, NC earn a median of $95,103 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.62% lower than the national median of $106,398 and 2.20% below the North Carolina state average of $97,243.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Hickory 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.
Hickory, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A nuclear medicine technologist earning $95,103 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $101,606 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$69,675
2025 BLS Actual
$90,609
2026 Current Est.
$95,103
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Hickory (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $69,675 | Actual |
| 2020 | $71,141 | Actual |
| 2021 | $70,399 | Actual |
| 2022 | $76,245 | Actual |
| 2023 | $82,681 | Actual |
| 2024 | $80,571 | Actual |
| 2025 | $90,609 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $95,103 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $99,820 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hickory metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 30.0% from $69,675 (2019) to $90,609 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $99,820 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,145 (43.27%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hickory 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) | $73,279 – $80,229 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $80,229 – $95,103 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $95,103 – $107,513 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $107,513 – $126,421 |
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 Hickory
Currently, there are six nuclear medicine technologists working in Hickory, reflecting a stable market for this profession. The cost of living index in the area stands at 93.6, indicating that, while salaries may be lower than the national average, purchasing power remains favorable for residents. Among local employers, hospital nuclear medicine departments typically offer the most lucrative positions, followed closely by outpatient PET/CT imaging centers and cardiology practices. The substantial pay spread in Hickory largely results from the demand for PET/CT capabilities and experience in theranostics, particularly with therapies like systemic radiopharmaceuticals. For those seeking to maximize their earning potential, pursuing additional credentials in PET/CT and seeking cross-training in CT or participating in on-call coverage can be strategic moves to elevate their nuclear medicine technologist pay in Hickory, NC.
More salary data for Hickory, 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 $90,609 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Hickory 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 Hickory 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