Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Pinehurst, NC: $90,116 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Pinehurst, NC earns a median $90,116/year (≈ $43.33/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Pinehurst's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $96,278 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.3% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, the estimated nuclear medicine technologist salary in Pinehurst, NC, reaches a median of $90,116, which is notably lower than the national median of $106,398. The salary spectrum ranges from $75,492 at the 10th percentile to $112,291 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a competitive pay structure influenced by credentialing. Technologists with expertise in both PET/CT and SPECT imaging typically command higher compensation than those limited to SPECT-only credentials. This distinction is critical, as the PET/CT market continues to expand, driving demand for skilled technologists. The data, derived from BLS state-level estimates and regional price considerations, highlights the nuances of the labor market in Pinehurst.
About the Pinehurst Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $75,492 | $36.30 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $80,304 | $38.60 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $90,116 | $43.33 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $101,268 | $48.69 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $112,291 | $53.99 |
Median Salary Position
15.3% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pinehurst
In Pinehurst, NC, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $36,799 (2026 est.). At $90,116, the local median is 15.3% below the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Pinehurst: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Pinehurst Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Pinehurst median: $90,116/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Pinehurst Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $97,212 | -7.30% less |
| National Average | $106,398 | -15.30% less |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Pinehurst, NC earn a median of $90,116 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.30% lower than the national median of $106,398 and 7.30% below the North Carolina state average of $97,212.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Pinehurst 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.
Pinehurst, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A nuclear medicine technologist earning $90,116 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $96,278 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
$66,021
2025 BLS Actual
$85,857
2026 Current Est.
$90,116
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Pinehurst (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $66,021 | Actual |
| 2020 | $67,410 | Actual |
| 2021 | $66,707 | Actual |
| 2022 | $72,246 | Actual |
| 2023 | $78,344 | Actual |
| 2024 | $76,345 | Actual |
| 2025 | $85,857 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $90,116 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $94,585 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pinehurst metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 30.0% from $66,021 (2019) to $85,857 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $94,585 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,564 (43.27%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pinehurst 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) | $75,492 – $80,304 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $80,304 – $90,116 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $90,116 – $101,268 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $101,268 – $112,291 |
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 Pinehurst
Despite the competitive salaries, only four nuclear medicine technologists are currently employed in Pinehurst, which may limit job options for aspiring professionals. The cost-of-living index is at 93.6, suggesting that basic expenses are relatively lower than in many parts of the U.S., thereby enhancing take-home purchasing power. Among the local employers, certain facilities such as inpatient hospital nuclear medicine departments and outpatient PET/CT imaging centers tend to offer the highest salaries. This discrepancy often arises from the specialized skills required for theranostics and the on-call demands associated with these roles. For those looking to maximize their nuclear medicine technologist pay in Pinehurst, obtaining credentials that encompass both PET/CT and SPECT, alongside cross-training in computed tomography (CT), can be advantageous. Networking with local providers and seeking positions that offer comprehensive experience in emerging treatments like lutetium-177 therapies further enhances market appeal.
More salary data for Pinehurst, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nuclear medicine technologists make in Pinehurst, NC in 2026?
Is Pinehurst, NC a good place to work as a nuclear medicine technologist?
Can nuclear medicine technologists make $100K in Pinehurst?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted nuclear medicine technologist salary in Pinehurst?
How much does a nuclear medicine technologist make per hour in Pinehurst?
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 $85,857 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Pinehurst 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 Pinehurst 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