Nuclear Med Tech Salary

Rockford vs Woodridge: Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary (2026)

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

Rockford, IL
$102,471
$49.27/hr
Woodridge, IL
$101,508
$48.81/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricRockford, ILWoodridge, IL
Median Salary$102,471$101,508
Hourly Rate$49.27$48.81
Entry Level (P10)$78,776$78,856
25th Percentile$87,173$86,187
75th Percentile$121,801$113,179
Top Earner (P90)$141,265$125,719
Total Employed349
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Rockford ($102,471) and Woodridge ($101,508) nuclear medicine technologist salaries.RockfordWoodridgeMedian Salary$102,471$101,508Entry Level (P10)$78,776$78,856Top Earner (P90)$141,265$125,719US Median $106,398

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Rockford and Woodridge is $963 (0.95%). Rockford's median is -3.69% compared to the US national median of $106,398.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Rockford spans $62,489,Woodridge spans $46,863. Rockford has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Rockford
P10 (Entry)$78,776
P25$87,173
Median$102,471
P75$121,801
P90 (Top)$141,265
Woodridge
P10 (Entry)$78,856
P25$86,187
Median$101,508
P75$113,179
P90 (Top)$125,719

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Rockford ($105,531 effective) pays 0.95% more than Woodridge ($104,540 effective).

Rockford
Nominal: $102,471
CoL Index: 97.1
Adjusted: $105,531
Woodridge
Nominal: $101,508
CoL Index: 97.1
Adjusted: $104,540

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Rockford if…

  • Higher median salary ($102,471/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($141,265)
  • Larger job market (34 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $105,531)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Choose Woodridge if…

  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

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

Rockford, IL

+5.6%

$92,457 (2024) → $97,629 (2025)

Woodridge, IL

+5.6%

$91,588 (2024) → $96,711 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Rockford has a higher median nuclear medicine technologist salary at $102,471/year, compared to Woodridge at $101,508/year — a difference of $963 (0.95%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Rockford and Woodridge?

Rockford nuclear medicine technologists earn $49.27/hr while Woodridge hygienists earn $48.81/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Rockford and Woodridge. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Rockford = $105,531, Woodridge = $104,540), job availability (34 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) nuclear medicine technologists earn $78,776 in Rockford and $78,856 in Woodridge. The Woodridge 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