Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Wilmington, NC: $101,412 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Wilmington, NC earns a median $101,412/year (≈ $48.75/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Wilmington's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.4), that paycheck buys what $105,175 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.3% above the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Wilmington, North Carolina, the projected median annual salary for nuclear medicine technologists is $101,412 for 2026. This figure reflects the local job market dynamics, which have a clear distinction based on certification; those with PET/CT credentials typically earn towards the higher end of the pay spectrum, while SPECT-only certified professionals see lower compensation. The salary range is between $70,407 at the P10 level and $107,930 at the P90 level. These figures are derived from data based on 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, providing insight into potential earnings for technologists in the area. The differences in qualifications notably influence the earning potential within Wilmington’s healthcare facilities, hinting at a competitive work environment.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $70,407 | $33.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $89,468 | $43.01 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $101,412 | $48.75 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $107,930 | $51.89 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $107,930 | $51.89 |
Median Salary Position
4.69% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wilmington
In Wilmington, NC, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $37,523 (2026 est.). At $101,412, the local median is 4.69% below the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wilmington: You'd be in the upper quartile
How Wilmington Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Wilmington median: $101,412/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wilmington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $97,231 | +4.30% more |
| National Average | $106,398 | -4.69% less |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Wilmington, NC earn a median of $101,412 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.69% lower than the national median of $106,398 and 4.30% above the North Carolina state average of $97,231.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wilmington has a cost of living 3.58% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wilmington, NC has a cost-of-living index of 96.422 (below the national average of 100). A nuclear medicine technologist earning $101,412 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $105,175 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.71% 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
$74,297
2025 BLS Actual
$96,620
2026 Current Est.
$101,412
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Wilmington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $74,297 | Actual |
| 2020 | $75,861 | Actual |
| 2021 | $75,069 | Actual |
| 2022 | $81,303 | Actual |
| 2023 | $88,166 | Actual |
| 2024 | $82,330 | Actual |
| 2025 | $96,620 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $101,412 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $106,442 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wilmington metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 30.0% from $74,297 (2019) to $96,620 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $106,442 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,145 (43.27%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wilmington 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) | $70,407 – $89,468 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $89,468 – $101,412 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $101,412 – $107,930 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $107,930 – $107,930 |
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 Wilmington
Currently, Wilmington employs about 30 nuclear medicine technologists, which supports a stable job market in the area. Given the cost-of-living index of 96.422, which is below the national average, the purchasing power for residents is relatively strong. Local employers such as hospitals, outpatient PET/CT imaging centers, and cardiology practices often pay the highest salaries for nuclear medicine technologists. The wage disparity often arises from factors like the specific credential mix between PET/CT and SPECT roles, experience gained in theranostics centers, and the nature of the employment setting—hospitals typically offer more comprehensive compensation packages compared to outpatient facilities. To maximize earnings, technologists in Wilmington could consider pursuing additional certifications in CT and thermonuclear therapies, seeking positions in high-demand areas, and remaining flexible with on-call duties, which may offer higher compensation for radiopharmaceutical administration.
More salary data for Wilmington, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nuclear medicine technologists make in Wilmington, NC in 2026?
Is Wilmington, NC a good place to work as a nuclear medicine technologist?
Can nuclear medicine technologists make $100K in Wilmington?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted nuclear medicine technologist salary in Wilmington?
How much does a nuclear medicine technologist make per hour in Wilmington?
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 $96,620 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Wilmington 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 2-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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