Nuclear Med Tech Salary

Aurora vs St. Charles: Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare nuclear medicine technologist salaries between Aurora, IL and St. Charles, IL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Aurora, IL
$102,020
$49.05/hr
St. Charles, IL
$101,836
$48.96/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAurora, ILSt. Charles, IL
Median Salary$102,020$101,836
Hourly Rate$49.05$48.96
Entry Level (P10)$77,840$79,770
25th Percentile$84,055$86,872
75th Percentile$118,396$114,017
Top Earner (P90)$136,213$126,774
Total Employed447
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Aurora ($102,020) and St. Charles ($101,836) nuclear medicine technologist salaries.AuroraSt. CharlesMedian Salary$102,020$101,836Entry Level (P10)$77,840$79,770Top Earner (P90)$136,213$126,774US Median $106,398

Verdict

Aurora, IL offers better overall compensation for nuclear medicine technologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to St. Charles.

The salary gap between Aurora and St. Charles is $184 (0.18%). Aurora's median is -4.11% compared to the US national median of $106,398.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Aurora spans $58,373,St. Charles spans $47,004. Aurora has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Aurora
P10 (Entry)$77,840
P25$84,055
Median$102,020
P75$118,396
P90 (Top)$136,213
St. Charles
P10 (Entry)$79,770
P25$86,872
Median$101,836
P75$114,017
P90 (Top)$126,774

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Aurora ($105,067 effective) pays 0.18% more than St. Charles ($104,877 effective).

Aurora
Nominal: $102,020
CoL Index: 97.1
Adjusted: $105,067
St. Charles
Nominal: $101,836
CoL Index: 97.1
Adjusted: $104,877

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Aurora if…

  • Higher median salary ($102,020/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($136,213)
  • Larger job market (44 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $105,067)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Choose St. Charles if…

  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nuclear medicine technologist salaries in Aurora grew 5.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 5.6% growth in St. Charles over the same period.

Aurora, IL

+5.6%

$92,051 (2024) → $97,199 (2025)

St. Charles, IL

+5.6%

$91,884 (2024) → $97,024 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nuclear medicine technologists more: Aurora or St. Charles?

Aurora has a higher median nuclear medicine technologist salary at $102,020/year, compared to St. Charles at $101,836/year — a difference of $184 (0.18%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Aurora and St. Charles?

Aurora nuclear medicine technologists earn $49.05/hr while St. Charles hygienists earn $48.96/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Aurora to St. Charles as a nuclear medicine technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Aurora and St. Charles. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Aurora = $105,067, St. Charles = $104,877), job availability (44 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nuclear medicine technologists earn in Aurora vs St. Charles?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nuclear medicine technologists earn $77,840 in Aurora and $79,770 in St. Charles. The St. Charles area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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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.

Clinically reviewed by David Martinez, BS, CNMTData verified by Fatima Nasir, MS, CNMT

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 4.96% 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 Alexandra Chen, MS, CNMT, a licensed nuclear medicine technologist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov