Radiologic Technologist and Technician Salary in Durham, NC: $84,685 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time radiologic technologist and technician in Durham, NC earns a median $84,685/year (≈ $40.72/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2034). Once you factor in Durham's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 97.6), that paycheck buys what $86,792 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 16.9% above the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
With a median annual salary of $84,685, radiologic technologists and technicians in Durham, NC, are earning slightly more than the national benchmark of $84,348 for 2026. This compensation reflects a wide salary range, from $67,112 at the 10th percentile to $107,764 at the 90th percentile, indicating a market with diverse opportunities based on experience and specialization. As healthcare needs evolve, those who've cross-trained in modalities like CT and MRI often command higher wages, reflecting the increasing demand for these advanced imaging skills. This wage data is derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OES surveys, highlighting Durham's promising position in the regional healthcare job market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $67,112 | $32.26 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $68,649 | $33.01 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $84,685 | $40.72 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $107,659 | $51.76 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $107,764 | $51.81 |
Median Salary Position
0.40% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Durham
In Durham, NC, the radiologic technologist and technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $40,652 (2026 est.). At $84,685, the local median is 0.4% above the national median of $84,348.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Durham: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Durham Radiologic Technologist and Technician Pay Compares
Durham median: $84,685/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Durham Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $72,442 | +16.90% more |
| National Average | $84,348 | +0.40% more |
Radiologic Technologist and Technicians in Durham, NC earn a median of $84,685 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.40% higher than the national median of $84,348 and 16.90% above the North Carolina state average of $72,442.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Durham has a cost of living 2.43% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Durham, NC has a cost-of-living index of 97.572 (below the national average of 100). A radiologic technologist and technician earning $84,685 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $86,792 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.49% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$63,230
2025 BLS Actual
$80,430
2026 Current Est.
$84,685
2019–2027 Growth
+41.0%
Salary Trajectory for Radiologic Technologists and Technicians in Durham (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.29% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $63,230 | Actual |
| 2020 | $64,720 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,260 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,830 | Actual |
| 2023 | $68,710 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,657 | Actual |
| 2025 | $80,430 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $84,685 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $89,165 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Durham metropolitan area, the median radiologic technologist and technician salary grew 27.2% from $63,230 (2019) to $80,430 (2025). At a 5.29% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $89,165 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,935 (41.02%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Durham 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 5.29% 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) | $67,112 – $68,649 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $68,649 – $84,685 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $84,685 – $107,659 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $107,659 – $107,764 |
RT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual radiologic technologist and technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Radiologic Technologist and Technician Job Market in Durham
In Durham, approximately 780 individuals are employed as radiologic technologists and technicians, which contributes to a stable job market in this profession. With a cost-of-living index of 97.572, living expenses are relatively manageable compared to national averages, ensuring that take-home pay retains a strong purchasing power. Employers such as hospital imaging departments, outpatient imaging centers, and orthopedic surgery practices generally offer the highest pay rates, especially for those who are cross-trained or hold additional certifications. Factors such as modality specialization—especially in CT, MRI, and mammography—impact the disparities in salary. Other key drivers include shift differentials, call coverage, and lead technician stipends offered by trauma centers. For professionals looking to maximize their earnings in Durham, pursuing cross-training and seeking positions with travel radiologic tech agencies could yield significant financial benefits, enhancing both their skill set and salary potential in a vibrant job market.
More salary data for Durham, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
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 $80,430 for radiologic technologists and techniciansin the Durham metropolitan area. A 5.29% 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.29%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for radiologic technologist and technicians (SOC 29-2034).
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