Nuclear Med Tech Salary

Charlotte vs Cornelius: Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare nuclear medicine technologist salaries between Charlotte, NC and Cornelius, NC. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Charlotte, NC
$97,224
$46.75/hr
Cornelius, NC
$95,941
$46.13/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCharlotte, NCCornelius, NC
Median Salary$97,224$95,941
Hourly Rate$46.75$46.13
Entry Level (P10)$70,691$79,950
25th Percentile$85,081$85,687
75th Percentile$105,684$107,398
Top Earner (P90)$115,508$119,881
Total Employed1307
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Charlotte ($97,224) and Cornelius ($95,941) nuclear medicine technologist salaries.CharlotteCorneliusMedian Salary$97,224$95,941Entry Level (P10)$70,691$79,950Top Earner (P90)$115,508$119,881US Median $106,398

Verdict

Charlotte, NC offers better overall compensation for nuclear medicine technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Cornelius.

The salary gap between Charlotte and Cornelius is $1,283 (1.34%). Charlotte's median is -8.62% compared to the US national median of $106,398.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Charlotte spans $44,817,Cornelius spans $39,931. Charlotte has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Charlotte
P10 (Entry)$70,691
P25$85,081
Median$97,224
P75$105,684
P90 (Top)$115,508
Cornelius
P10 (Entry)$79,950
P25$85,687
Median$95,941
P75$107,398
P90 (Top)$119,881

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Cornelius ($102,501 effective) pays 2.63% more than Charlotte ($99,873 effective).

Charlotte
Nominal: $97,224
CoL Index: 97.348
Adjusted: $99,873
Cornelius
Nominal: $95,941
CoL Index: 93.6
Adjusted: $102,501

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Charlotte if…

  • Higher median salary ($97,224/year)
  • Larger job market (130 employed)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Cornelius if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($119,881)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $102,501)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nuclear medicine technologist salaries in Charlotte grew 30.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 12.5% growth in Cornelius over the same period.

Charlotte, NC

+30.7%

$70,880 (2019) → $92,630 (2025)

Cornelius, NC

+12.5%

$81,281 (2024) → $91,407 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nuclear medicine technologists more: Charlotte or Cornelius?

Charlotte has a higher median nuclear medicine technologist salary at $97,224/year, compared to Cornelius at $95,941/year — a difference of $1,283 (1.34%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Charlotte and Cornelius?

Charlotte nuclear medicine technologists earn $46.75/hr while Cornelius hygienists earn $46.13/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Charlotte to Cornelius as a nuclear medicine technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Charlotte and Cornelius. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Charlotte = $99,873, Cornelius = $102,501), job availability (130 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nuclear medicine technologists earn in Charlotte vs Cornelius?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nuclear medicine technologists earn $70,691 in Charlotte and $79,950 in Cornelius. The Cornelius area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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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.

Clinically reviewed by David Martinez, BS, CNMTData verified by Fatima Nasir, MS, CNMT

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 4.96% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

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