Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Kingsport, TN: $97,095 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Kingsport, TN earns a median $97,095/year (≈ $46.68/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Kingsport's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.8), that paycheck buys what $105,768 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% below the Tennessee state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For those working as nuclear medicine technologists in Kingsport, Tennessee, the projected median annual salary for 2026 stands at $97,095, which reflects a competitive rate compared to the national median of $106,398. This salary is indicative of the varying compensation based on credentials, particularly between PET/CT and SPECT-only specialties. Professionals operating within the PET/CT imaging sector can expect higher pay scales that range from a low of $76,732 to a high of $131,975, suggesting a significant salary differential tied to their qualifications and the complexity of procedures they can perform. Local estimates derived from BLS state-level data also take into account regional cost of living adjustments, which are relevant for understanding job prospects in Kingsport's market.
About the Kingsport Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $76,732 | $36.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $83,869 | $40.33 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $97,095 | $46.68 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $114,721 | $55.16 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $131,975 | $63.45 |
Median Salary Position
8.74% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kingsport
In Kingsport, TN, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $55,243 (2026 est.). At $97,095, the local median is 8.74% below the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kingsport: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Kingsport Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Kingsport median: $97,095/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kingsport Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $97,681 | -0.60% less |
| National Average | $106,398 | -8.74% less |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Kingsport, TN earn a median of $97,095 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.74% lower than the national median of $106,398 and 0.60% below the Tennessee state average of $97,681.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kingsport has a cost of living 8.20% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kingsport, TN has a cost-of-living index of 91.8 (below the national average of 100). A nuclear medicine technologist earning $97,095 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $105,768 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.93% 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
$71,135
2025 BLS Actual
$92,507
2026 Current Est.
$97,095
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Kingsport (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $71,135 | Actual |
| 2020 | $72,631 | Actual |
| 2021 | $71,874 | Actual |
| 2022 | $77,842 | Actual |
| 2023 | $84,413 | Actual |
| 2024 | $74,830 | Actual |
| 2025 | $92,507 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $97,095 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $101,911 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kingsport metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 30.0% from $71,135 (2019) to $92,507 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $101,911 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,776 (43.26%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kingsport 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) | $76,732 – $83,869 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $83,869 – $97,095 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $97,095 – $114,721 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $114,721 – $131,975 |
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 Kingsport
In Kingsport, eight nuclear medicine technologists are currently employed, reflecting a stable job market in this niche field. The cost-of-living index in the area is reported at 91.8, which indicates an affordable environment that can positively influence take-home pay and purchasing power. Among employers, hospital nuclear medicine departments and specialized outpatient PET/CT imaging centers tend to offer the most competitive salaries. The variance in compensation can largely be attributed to the credential mix—those with PET/CT capabilities command a premium over SPECT-only technicians. Additionally, experience in theranostics, on-call coverage for radiopharmaceutical timing, and cross-training in CT can further enhance salary prospects. For those aiming to maximize their earnings in Kingsport, pursuing advanced certifications and seeking employment in high-demand settings such as theranostics centers or mobile imaging companies would be strategic moves.
More salary data for Kingsport, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nuclear medicine technologists make in Kingsport, TN in 2026?
Is Kingsport, TN a good place to work as a nuclear medicine technologist?
Can nuclear medicine technologists make $100K in Kingsport?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted nuclear medicine technologist salary in Kingsport?
How much does a nuclear medicine technologist make per hour in Kingsport?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Tennessee
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 $92,507 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Kingsport 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 Kingsport 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