Nuclear Med Tech Salary

Peoria vs Rockford: Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary (2026)

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

Peoria, IL
$103,573
$49.79/hr
Rockford, IL
$102,471
$49.27/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricPeoria, ILRockford, IL
Median Salary$103,573$102,471
Hourly Rate$49.79$49.27
Entry Level (P10)$81,443$78,776
25th Percentile$89,410$87,173
75th Percentile$118,241$121,801
Top Earner (P90)$145,015$141,265
Total Employed2834
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Peoria ($103,573) and Rockford ($102,471) nuclear medicine technologist salaries.PeoriaRockfordMedian Salary$103,573$102,471Entry Level (P10)$81,443$78,776Top Earner (P90)$145,015$141,265US Median $106,398

Verdict

Peoria, IL offers better overall compensation for nuclear medicine technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Rockford.

The salary gap between Peoria and Rockford is $1,102 (1.08%). Peoria's median is -2.66% compared to the US national median of $106,398.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Peoria spans $63,572,Rockford spans $62,489. Peoria has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Peoria
P10 (Entry)$81,443
P25$89,410
Median$103,573
P75$118,241
P90 (Top)$145,015
Rockford
P10 (Entry)$78,776
P25$87,173
Median$102,471
P75$121,801
P90 (Top)$141,265

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Peoria ($106,666 effective) pays 1.08% more than Rockford ($105,531 effective).

Peoria
Nominal: $103,573
CoL Index: 97.1
Adjusted: $106,666
Rockford
Nominal: $102,471
CoL Index: 97.1
Adjusted: $105,531

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Peoria if…

  • Higher median salary ($103,573/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($145,015)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $106,666)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Choose Rockford if…

  • Larger job market (34 employed)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

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

Peoria, IL

+5.6%

$93,451 (2024) → $98,679 (2025)

Rockford, IL

+5.6%

$92,457 (2024) → $97,629 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nuclear medicine technologists more: Peoria or Rockford?

Peoria has a higher median nuclear medicine technologist salary at $103,573/year, compared to Rockford at $102,471/year — a difference of $1,102 (1.08%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Peoria and Rockford?

Peoria nuclear medicine technologists earn $49.79/hr while Rockford hygienists earn $49.27/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Peoria to Rockford as a nuclear medicine technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Peoria and Rockford. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Peoria = $106,666, Rockford = $105,531), job availability (28 vs 34 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nuclear medicine technologists earn in Peoria vs Rockford?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nuclear medicine technologists earn $81,443 in Peoria and $78,776 in Rockford. The Peoria 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