Radiologic Technologist Salary in Raleigh, NC
Radiologic Technologists in Raleigh, NC earn a median of $53,000/year, ranging from $40,810 (25th percentile) to $84,800 (90th percentile). After North Carolina state taxes (4.5%) and cost-of-living adjustments (COL index 103), this is equivalent to $51,456 in purchasing power vs the US average.
On the ground in Raleigh, NC
Notable employers in this market include UNC REX Healthcare, WakeMed, and Duke Health Raleigh. Cost of living is reasonable compared to coastal metros, with Five Points, North Hills, or out in Cary usually offering one-bedrooms in the $1,500 to $1,800 range. Hospital shifts often run early or overnight, so commute timing in this metro matters more than peak rush figures suggest. Off-peak driving and I-40 and I-540 anchor commutes, no rail transit are forgiving for techs working 5am or 11pm starts. The Research Triangle pulls salaries up across most professional fields, and the 4.5% flat tax is moderate. The Research Triangle pulls professional salaries up while costs remain reasonable, a combination not common in other top-tier metros.
1Salary Distribution in Raleigh, NC
2Estimated Take-Home & Purchasing Power
* Estimates only. Does not include federal income tax, 401k, health insurance, or local taxes. Use the Salary Calculator for a detailed breakdown.
How Does Raleigh, NC Compare?
| City | Median | COL Index | COL-Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raleigh, NC (current) | $53,000 | 103 | $51,456 |
| Charlotte, NC | $48,000 | 102 | $47,059 |
| San Francisco, CA | $74,000 | 186 | $39,785 |
| New York, NY | $71,000 | 187 | $37,968 |
| Seattle, WA | $71,000 | 162 | $43,827 |
| Boston, MA | $65,000 | 162 | $40,123 |
4Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Radiologic Technologist salary in Raleigh, NC?
The median Radiologic Technologist salary in Raleigh, NC is $53,000 per year as of 2026 BLS OEWS data. The 25th percentile is $40,810 and the 90th percentile is $84,800.
Is Raleigh, NC a good place to work as a Radiologic Technologist?
Raleigh, NC has a cost of living index of 103 (US average = 100). After adjusting for cost of living, a $53,000 Radiologic Technologist salary in Raleigh, NC is equivalent to $51,456 in purchasing power compared to the US average.
What is the cost of living adjustment for Raleigh, NC?
Raleigh, NC has a cost of living index of 103, meaning it is 3% more expensive than the US average. The state income tax rate in North Carolina is approximately 4.5%.
What is the Radiologic Technologist salary range in Raleigh, NC?
In Raleigh, NC, Radiologic Technologists earn between $40,810 (25th percentile) and $84,800 (90th percentile), with a median of $53,000 per year.
How many Radiologic Technologist jobs are there in Raleigh, NC?
According to BLS OEWS data, there are approximately 55,000 Radiologic Technologist positions in the Raleigh, NC metropolitan area.
What do Radiologic Technologists earn in Raleigh, NC?
Based on BLS OEWS 2026 data, Radiologic Technologists in Raleigh, NC earn a median annual wage of $53,000. The middle 50% earn between $40,810 and $67,840. The top 10% earn more than $84,800. There are approximately 55,000 Radiologic Technologists employed in the Raleigh, NC metro area, with annual job growth estimated at 6.4%.
Is Raleigh, NC a good place for a Radiologic Technologist?
Raleigh, NC has a cost of living index of 103 (US average = 100), making it 3% more expensive than the national average. After adjusting for cost of living, a Radiologic Technologist in Raleigh, NC earning $53,000has the equivalent purchasing power of $51,456 relative to the US median. North Carolina has a state income tax rate of approximately 4.5%.
What is the cost of living adjustment for Raleigh, NC?
Raleigh, NC's cost of living index is 103, based on composite data including housing, food, transportation, healthcare, and utilities. This means that $53,000 in Raleigh, NChas the same purchasing power as $51,456 in a city at exactly the US average cost of living. Housing is typically the largest driver of cost of living differences between metros.
Compare Raleigh, NC with Another City
See a detailed side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, and purchasing power.
5Should You Work as a Radiologic Technologist in Raleigh, NC?
The headline median of $53,000 is only part of the picture. Raleigh, NC's cost of living index is 103 (US average = 100), meaning a dollar here buys roughly 97¢ of what it buys in an average US city. The $53,000 salary effectively purchases $51,456 worth of goods and services at national-average prices.
Housing is the single biggest driver of cost-of-living differences between metros. In Raleigh, NC, housing costs fall closer to the national average of 25–30% of gross income, leaving more room in the budget for savings, transportation, and discretionary spending. For a $53,000 salary, that translates to roughly $14,840/year on housing alone.
State tax plays a meaningful but smaller role. North Carolina levies a state income tax of approximately 4.5%, which reduces take-home by roughly $2,385 per year on this salary. States with zero income tax (Texas, Florida, Washington, Tennessee, Nevada) offer a structural advantage, but often offset it with higher sales tax or property tax. After state tax and approximate federal FICA (~7.6%), the estimated take-home is $46,768. This excludes federal income tax, which varies by filing status and deductions.
For comparison, here are nearby alternatives: Charlotte, NC ($48,000 median, COL 102); San Francisco, CA ($74,000 median, COL 186); New York, NY ($71,000 median, COL 187). If you're optimizing for purchasing power, compare the COL-adjusted column in the table above and pick the highest number. If you're optimizing for career progression, weight total employment and yearly growth in the role — larger markets offer more lateral moves and promotion velocity, even when nominal pay is lower.
The 6.4% year-over-year growth rate for Radiologic Technologists in Raleigh, NC is a leading indicator of market health. Above-average hiring pace suggests strong negotiating leverage, frequent counter-offer opportunities, and a deep pipeline of open roles. For side-by-side comparisons, try the full city ranking for Radiologic Technologists or the North Carolina state overview.
Data source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) Program. All figures are approximate annual estimates based on the most recent available BLS data. Actual salaries may vary based on experience, education, employer size, and specific role. Cost-of-living data represents composite indices from publicly available metropolitan area data.