Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Columbia, SC: $91,819 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Columbia, SC earns a median $91,819/year (≈ $44.15/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Columbia's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.7), that paycheck buys what $98,032 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.7% below the South Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Nuclear medicine technologists in Columbia, South Carolina earn a median annual salary of $91,819, reflecting a notable variation in compensation largely influenced by credential specialization. The salary range for this profession spans from $80,567 at the 10th percentile to $102,829 at the 90th percentile, indicating a competitive pay structure in the local job market. These figures are drawn from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and suggest that technologists with PET/CT credentials are likely to earn more compared to those focused solely on SPECT. Given the rising demand for advanced imaging techniques and theranostics, Columbia's healthcare facilities are showing increased interest in candidates equipped with these qualifications, setting the stage for a dynamic employment environment.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,567 | $38.73 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $80,977 | $38.93 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $91,819 | $44.15 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $97,539 | $46.90 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $102,829 | $49.44 |
Median Salary Position
13.7% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Columbia
In Columbia, SC, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $22,262 (2026 est.). At $91,819, the local median is 13.7% below the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Columbia: You'd be above the median
How Columbia Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Columbia median: $91,819/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Columbia Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $97,369 | -5.70% less |
| National Average | $106,398 | -13.70% less |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Columbia, SC earn a median of $91,819 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.70% lower than the national median of $106,398 and 5.70% below the South Carolina state average of $97,369.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Columbia has a cost of living 6.34% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Columbia, SC has a cost-of-living index of 93.662 (below the national average of 100). A nuclear medicine technologist earning $91,819 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $98,032 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.77% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$65,260
2025 BLS Actual
$87,480
2026 Current Est.
$91,819
2019–2027 Growth
+47.7%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Columbia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $65,260 | Actual |
| 2020 | $68,684 | Actual |
| 2021 | $74,930 | Actual |
| 2022 | $65,670 | Actual |
| 2023 | $80,680 | Actual |
| 2024 | $83,860 | Actual |
| 2025 | $87,480 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $91,819 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $96,373 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Columbia metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 34.0% from $65,260 (2019) to $87,480 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $96,373 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,113 (47.68%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Columbia 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) | $80,567 – $80,977 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $80,977 – $91,819 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $91,819 – $97,539 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $97,539 – $102,829 |
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 Columbia
In Columbia, the nuclear medicine technologist job market is quite robust, with about 60 professionals currently employed in the area. The cost-of-living index stands at 93.662, which enhances the real purchasing power of salaries compared to national averages. Employers, particularly those within hospital nuclear medicine departments and outpatient PET/CT imaging centers, often offer higher salaries, reflecting the growing need for technologists with PET/CT and theranostics expertise. The disparity in wages stems from various factors such as the type of imaging performed, the experience level required, and the nature of on-call demands. For technologists looking to maximize their earning potential, pursuing credentials in PET/CT, gaining experience in theranostics like Lutathera or Pluvicto therapies, and being open to roles that require cross-training in CT can be effective strategies. The employment landscape in Columbia SC is evolving, creating opportunities for those ready to adapt.
More salary data for Columbia, SC:
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 $87,480 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Columbia 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, 6-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