Nuclear Med Tech Salary

Chicago vs Danville: Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary (2026)

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

Chicago, IL
$114,259
$54.94/hr
Danville, IL
$102,350
$49.21/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricChicago, ILDanville, IL
Median Salary$114,259$102,350
Hourly Rate$54.94$49.21
Entry Level (P10)$92,113$81,036
25th Percentile$105,044$87,949
75th Percentile$125,322$115,211
Top Earner (P90)$129,689$128,430
Total Employed4805
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Chicago ($114,259) and Danville ($102,350) nuclear medicine technologist salaries.ChicagoDanvilleMedian Salary$114,259$102,350Entry Level (P10)$92,113$81,036Top Earner (P90)$129,689$128,430US Median $106,398

Verdict

Chicago, IL offers better overall compensation for nuclear medicine technologists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Danville.

The salary gap between Chicago and Danville is $11,909 (11.64%). Chicago's median is +7.39% compared to the US national median of $106,398.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Chicago spans $37,576,Danville spans $47,394. Danville has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced nuclear medicine technologists.

Chicago
P10 (Entry)$92,113
P25$105,044
Median$114,259
P75$125,322
P90 (Top)$129,689
Danville
P10 (Entry)$81,036
P25$87,949
Median$102,350
P75$115,211
P90 (Top)$128,430

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Chicago ($110,294 effective) pays 4.64% more than Danville ($105,407 effective).

Chicago
Nominal: $114,259
CoL Index: 103.595
Adjusted: $110,294
Danville
Nominal: $102,350
CoL Index: 97.1
Adjusted: $105,407

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Chicago if…

  • Higher median salary ($114,259/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($129,689)
  • Larger job market (480 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $110,294)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Choose Danville if…

  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nuclear medicine technologist salaries in Chicago grew 27.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 5.6% growth in Danville over the same period.

Chicago, IL

+27.3%

$85,530 (2019) → $108,860 (2025)

Danville, IL

+5.6%

$92,347 (2024) → $97,513 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nuclear medicine technologists more: Chicago or Danville?

Chicago has a higher median nuclear medicine technologist salary at $114,259/year, compared to Danville at $102,350/year — a difference of $11,909 (11.64%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Chicago and Danville?

Chicago nuclear medicine technologists earn $54.94/hr while Danville hygienists earn $49.21/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Chicago to Danville as a nuclear medicine technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Chicago and Danville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Chicago = $110,294, Danville = $105,407), job availability (480 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nuclear medicine technologists earn in Chicago vs Danville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nuclear medicine technologists earn $92,113 in Chicago and $81,036 in Danville. The Chicago 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