Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Bluffton, SC: $92,640 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Bluffton, SC earns a median $92,640/year (≈ $44.53/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Bluffton's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $101,246 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.8% below the South Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, nuclear medicine technologists in Bluffton, South Carolina, are projected to earn a median salary of $92,640, which reflects a considerable aspect of the local job market. The salary range extends from $74,828 at the 10th percentile to $121,263 at the 90th percentile, showcasing an enticing opportunity for professionals in this field. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost-of-living factors. Notably, technologists specializing in theranostics may command higher earnings due to the growing demand for radiopharmaceutical therapies, like lutetium-177 treatments, further influencing compensation dynamics in Bluffton’s healthcare sector.
About the Bluffton Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $74,828 | $35.98 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $80,697 | $38.79 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $92,640 | $44.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $107,338 | $51.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $121,263 | $58.29 |
Median Salary Position
12.93% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bluffton
In Bluffton, SC, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $46,435 (2026 est.). At $92,640, the local median is 12.93% below the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bluffton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bluffton Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Bluffton median: $92,640/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bluffton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $97,311 | -4.80% less |
| National Average | $106,398 | -12.93% less |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Bluffton, SC earn a median of $92,640 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.93% lower than the national median of $106,398 and 4.80% below the South Carolina state average of $97,311.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bluffton has a cost of living 8.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bluffton, SC has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A nuclear medicine technologist earning $92,640 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $101,246 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$67,870
2025 BLS Actual
$88,262
2026 Current Est.
$92,640
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Bluffton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $67,870 | Actual |
| 2020 | $69,298 | Actual |
| 2021 | $68,576 | Actual |
| 2022 | $74,270 | Actual |
| 2023 | $80,539 | Actual |
| 2024 | $71,396 | Actual |
| 2025 | $88,262 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $92,640 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $97,235 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bluffton metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 30.0% from $67,870 (2019) to $88,262 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $97,235 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,365 (43.27%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bluffton 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) | $74,828 – $80,697 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $80,697 – $92,640 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $92,640 – $107,338 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $107,338 – $121,263 |
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 Bluffton
Despite the projected median being lower than the national figure of $106,398, the local cost-of-living index of 91.5 suggests favorable purchasing power for Bluffton residents. Currently, there are six nuclear medicine technologists employed in the area, predominantly working within hospitals and imaging centers. Employers making competitive offers include outpatient PET/CT imaging centers and theranostics facilities, which generally pay more due to the advanced skill sets required. The difference in pay across various roles may be attributed to factors such as the credential mix—those with experience in both PET/CT and SPECT are often at an advantage—on-call demands, and cross-training in CT. For those aiming to maximize their nuclear medicine technologist pay in Bluffton, pursuing advanced certifications or gaining diverse experience in emerging areas like theranostics could be effective strategies.
More salary data for Bluffton, 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 $88,262 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Bluffton 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 Bluffton 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