Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Winston-Salem, NC: $100,762 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Winston-Salem, NC earns a median $100,762/year (≈ $48.44/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Winston-Salem's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $107,652 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.6% above the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Nuclear medicine technologists in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, can anticipate a median salary of $100,762 in 2026, which is notably lower than the national median of $106,398. The salary range for professionals in this field is projected to be between $71,379 at the 10th percentile and $137,796 at the 90th percentile. These figures are based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional cost-of-living factors in Winston-Salem. As the job market for nuclear medicine technologists evolves, particularly with the hospital versus outpatient PET and oncology center structure, these salary insights highlight a competitive edge for local professionals, especially those who diversify their skill sets within the industry.
About the Winston-Salem Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $71,379 | $34.32 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $81,436 | $39.15 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $100,762 | $48.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $118,236 | $56.85 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $137,796 | $66.25 |
Median Salary Position
5.3% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Winston-Salem
In Winston-Salem, NC, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $66,417 (2026 est.). At $100,762, the local median is 5.3% below the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Winston-Salem: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Winston-Salem Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Winston-Salem median: $100,762/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Winston-Salem Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $97,260 | +3.60% more |
| National Average | $106,398 | -5.30% less |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Winston-Salem, NC earn a median of $100,762 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.30% lower than the national median of $106,398 and 3.60% above the North Carolina state average of $97,260.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Winston-Salem 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.
Winston-Salem, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A nuclear medicine technologist earning $100,762 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $107,652 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$73,821
2025 BLS Actual
$96,000
2026 Current Est.
$100,762
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Winston-Salem (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $73,821 | Actual |
| 2020 | $75,374 | Actual |
| 2021 | $74,588 | Actual |
| 2022 | $80,781 | Actual |
| 2023 | $87,600 | Actual |
| 2024 | $85,365 | Actual |
| 2025 | $96,000 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $100,762 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $105,759 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Winston-Salem metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 30.0% from $73,821 (2019) to $96,000 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $105,759 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,938 (43.26%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Winston-Salem 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) | $71,379 – $81,436 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $81,436 – $100,762 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $100,762 – $118,236 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $118,236 – $137,796 |
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 Winston-Salem
With 59 nuclear medicine technologists currently employed in the Winston-Salem area, the local job market is somewhat stable, yet there are dynamics that significantly impact pay rates. The cost-of-living index sits at 93.6, indicating that salaries can afford a slightly higher purchasing power than many other regions. Employers with the highest pay include hospital nuclear medicine departments, particularly those offering both SPECT and PET/CT imaging, as well as specialized outpatient centers. Those with experience in theranostics or who undertake on-call coverage may see particularly lucrative opportunities, as the demand for coverage varies significantly based on radiopharmaceutical timing. Maximizing pay in Winston-Salem may involve seeking positions that offer cross-training in hybrid imaging or expert proficiency in emerging therapies, thereby positioning oneself favorably within this evolving sector.
More salary data for Winston-Salem, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nuclear medicine technologists make in Winston-Salem, NC in 2026?
Is Winston-Salem, NC a good place to work as a nuclear medicine technologist?
Can nuclear medicine technologists make $100K in Winston-Salem?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted nuclear medicine technologist salary in Winston-Salem?
How much does a nuclear medicine technologist make per hour in Winston-Salem?
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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 $96,000 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Winston-Salem 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 Winston-Salem 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