Radiography Tech Salary

Burlington vs Charlotte: Radiologic Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

Compare radiologic technologist and technician salaries between Burlington, NC and Charlotte, NC. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Burlington, NC
$83,758
$40.26/hr
Charlotte, NC
$83,126
$39.97/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBurlington, NCCharlotte, NC
Median Salary$83,758$83,126
Hourly Rate$40.26$39.97
Entry Level (P10)$51,192$61,795
25th Percentile$68,470$68,849
75th Percentile$83,758$92,918
Top Earner (P90)$99,204$106,206
Total Employed1202,470
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Burlington ($83,758) and Charlotte ($83,126) radiologic technologist and technician salaries.BurlingtonCharlotteMedian Salary$83,758$83,126Entry Level (P10)$51,192$61,795Top Earner (P90)$99,204$106,206US Median $84,348

Verdict

Burlington and Charlotte are closely matched on overall radiologic technologist and technician compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Burlington and Charlotte is $632 (0.76%). Burlington's median is -0.70% compared to the US national median of $84,348.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Burlington spans $48,012,Charlotte spans $44,411. Burlington has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Burlington
P10 (Entry)$51,192
P25$68,470
Median$83,758
P75$83,758
P90 (Top)$99,204
Charlotte
P10 (Entry)$61,795
P25$68,849
Median$83,126
P75$92,918
P90 (Top)$106,206

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Burlington ($89,873 effective) pays 5.25% more than Charlotte ($85,391 effective).

Burlington
Nominal: $83,758
CoL Index: 93.196
Adjusted: $89,873
Charlotte
Nominal: $83,126
CoL Index: 97.348
Adjusted: $85,391

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Burlington if…

  • Higher median salary ($83,758/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $89,873)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Charlotte if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($106,206)
  • Larger job market (2,470 employed)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, radiologic technologist and technician salaries in Burlington grew 34.1% from 2021 to 2025, compared to 36.0% growth in Charlotte over the same period.

Burlington, NC

+34.1%

$59,320 (2021) → $79,550 (2025)

Charlotte, NC

+36.0%

$58,050 (2019) → $78,950 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays radiologic technologist and technicians more: Burlington or Charlotte?

Burlington has a higher median radiologic technologist and technician salary at $83,758/year, compared to Charlotte at $83,126/year — a difference of $632 (0.76%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Burlington and Charlotte?

Burlington radiologic technologist and technicians earn $40.26/hr while Charlotte hygienists earn $39.97/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Burlington to Charlotte as a radiologic technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Burlington and Charlotte. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Burlington = $89,873, Charlotte = $85,391), job availability (120 vs 2,470 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level radiologic technologist and technicians earn in Burlington vs Charlotte?

Entry-level (10th percentile) radiologic technologist and technicians earn $51,192 in Burlington and $61,795 in Charlotte. The Charlotte area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JL

Written by Jordan Lee, RT(R), RT(TM)

Career Analyst

Jordan Lee has over 10 years of experience in radiologic technology. They specialize in mammography and work in an outpatient imaging center.

Clinically reviewed by Marisol Patel, RT(R), BSData verified by Samuel Kim, RT(R)(CT), MHA

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 5.29% 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 Jordan Lee, RT(R), RT(TM), a licensed radiologic technologist and technician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov