Entry-Level Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Quincy, IL: $75,926 (2026)
Quick Answer:New nuclear medicine technologists entering the Quincy, IL job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $75,926 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2033, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Quincy's local price level (BEA RPP 97.1 — 3% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $78,194 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($100,257) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Quincy, Illinois, the entry-level nuclear medicine technologist salary presents a promising outlook for recent graduates. New professionals entering the field in 2026 can expect to start with a salary around $75,926, which falls below the city's median salary of $100,257. However, there is considerable room for growth, as the salary trajectory can reach $87,480 at the 25th percentile and further climb toward the median within the first three to five years of employment. Overall, Quincy is a favorable market for new graduates, with an anticipated growth rate of 4.96% annually in this sector, indicating a healthy demand for qualified technologists.
About the Quincy Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($96,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Quincy
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Quincy
Entry-level nuclear medicine technologists in Quincy, IL typically start between $75,926 and $87,480 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $55,790 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $100,257 — 5.77% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average nuclear medicine program cost in Illinois of $36,000 represents just 47.41% of the starting nuclear medicine technologist pay ($75,926/year) in Quincy. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on JRCNMT-accredited nuclear medicine technology program data. Available as associate degree, bachelor's degree, or post-primary certificate pathways. Tuition-only averages; actual costs vary significantly by institution type.
NMT Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Quincy
- 1Research the Quincy market: entry-level nuclear medicine technologist pay ranges from $75,926 to $87,480, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the nuclear medicine field — employers in IL often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Quincy, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Quincy for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Quincy's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Compensation Range
The nuclear medicine technologist wage spread in Quincy is $55,790 ( 73.48%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $75,926, experienced hygienists can earn up to $131,716.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$52,401
2025 BLS Actual
$72,338
2026 Current Est.
$75,926
2019–2027 Growth
+52.1%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Quincy (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,401 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,577 | Actual |
| 2021 | $56,097 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,923 | Actual |
| 2023 | $64,204 | Actual |
| 2024 | $69,314 | Actual |
| 2025 | $72,338 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $75,926 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $79,692 | Projected |
Entry-level nuclear medicine technologist compensation (10th percentile) in Quincy, IL grew 38.0% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $52,401 in 2019 to $72,338 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $79,692. New graduates entering the Quincy job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Quincy metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 4.96% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your nuclear medicine Career in Quincy
Employers in Quincy that typically hire new graduates include local hospital nuclear medicine departments, as well as outpatient PET imaging chains looking for pre-credentialed PET technologists. It is crucial for new entrants in the field to hold an Associate's or bachelor's degree from a JRCNMT-accredited program, and obtaining national certification from either the NMTCB or ARRT(N) will significantly enhance starting pay in Illinois. Additionally, cross-training in CT and gaining experience in emerging areas like theranostics and PET/CT imaging can open doors to higher salary offerings, as the fast-growing demand in these specialties offers a competitive edge. While it’s realistic for new graduates to start at lower pay scales, with diligent effort and commitment to education and training, salary growth in the first three years can align closely with industry standards as the focus shifts away from traditional SPECT work towards more lucrative PET/CT roles.
More salary data for Quincy, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new nuclear medicine graduates. A 4.96% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Quincy. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Quincy is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.96%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for nuclear medicine technologists (SOC 29-2033).
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