Radiography Tech Salary

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

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

Charlotte, NC
$83,126
$39.97/hr
Wilmington, NC
$70,765
$34.02/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCharlotte, NCWilmington, NC
Median Salary$83,126$70,765
Hourly Rate$39.97$34.02
Entry Level (P10)$61,795$50,644
25th Percentile$68,849$65,627
75th Percentile$92,918$86,633
Top Earner (P90)$106,206$106,396
Total Employed2,470410
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Charlotte ($83,126) and Wilmington ($70,765) radiologic technologist and technician salaries.CharlotteWilmingtonMedian Salary$83,126$70,765Entry Level (P10)$61,795$50,644Top Earner (P90)$106,206$106,396US Median $84,348

Verdict

Charlotte, NC offers better overall compensation for radiologic technologists and technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Wilmington.

The salary gap between Charlotte and Wilmington is $12,361 (17.47%). Charlotte's median is -1.45% compared to the US national median of $84,348.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Charlotte spans $44,411,Wilmington spans $55,752. Wilmington has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced radiologic technologist and technicians.

Charlotte
P10 (Entry)$61,795
P25$68,849
Median$83,126
P75$92,918
P90 (Top)$106,206
Wilmington
P10 (Entry)$50,644
P25$65,627
Median$70,765
P75$86,633
P90 (Top)$106,396

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Charlotte ($85,391 effective) pays 16.35% more than Wilmington ($73,391 effective).

Charlotte
Nominal: $83,126
CoL Index: 97.348
Adjusted: $85,391
Wilmington
Nominal: $70,765
CoL Index: 96.422
Adjusted: $73,391

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 ($83,126/year)
  • Larger job market (2,470 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $85,391)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Wilmington if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($106,396)
  • 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 Charlotte grew 36.0% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 41.6% growth in Wilmington over the same period.

Charlotte, NC

+36.0%

$58,050 (2019) → $78,950 (2025)

Wilmington, NC

+41.6%

$47,470 (2019) → $67,210 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Charlotte has a higher median radiologic technologist and technician salary at $83,126/year, compared to Wilmington at $70,765/year — a difference of $12,361 (17.47%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Charlotte and Wilmington?

Charlotte radiologic technologist and technicians earn $39.97/hr while Wilmington hygienists earn $34.02/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Charlotte and Wilmington. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Charlotte = $85,391, Wilmington = $73,391), job availability (2,470 vs 410 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) radiologic technologist and technicians earn $61,795 in Charlotte and $50,644 in Wilmington. 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