Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay in Downers Grove, IL: $47.39 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nuclear medicine technologist working in Downers Grove, IL runs $47.39 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $98,565 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Weighted against Downers Grove's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $48.80 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $59,142 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Downers Grove, Illinois, the nuclear medicine technologist hourly pay is projected to stand at $47.39 in 2026, which is slightly lower than the national median of $51.15 per hour. This median rate provides part-time nuclear medicine technologists, who typically work three days a week, with a solid earning potential while offering flexibility. For per-diem workers, opportunities can arise in various clinical settings such as hospital nuclear medicine suites, PET/CT imaging centers, and even mobile PET trailers. Hourly earnings can differ significantly, ranging from approximately $38.48 for entry-level positions to as high as $62.38, particularly for those with advanced skills in emerging areas like theranostics. Such estimates are derived from annual salary data, echoing a trend where experience and specialization positively influence compensation in this field.
About the Downers Grove Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($96,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38.48 | $307.83 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41.43 | $331.42 |
| Median (P50) | $47.39 | $379.12 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $54.98 | $439.82 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $62.38 | $499.02 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Downers Grove
Based on $47.39/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $47.39/hr, a nuclear medicine technologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Downers Grove, IL can expect to earn approximately $98,570 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $56,867. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Downers Grove.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Downers Grove
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,895.58 | $8,214 | $98,570 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,137.35 | $4,929 | $59,142 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $758.23 | $3,286 | $39,428 |
Compare NMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nuclear Medicine Technologist (Downers Grove) | $47.39 |
| Radiologic Technologist (National Avg) | $35.27 |
| MRI Technologist (National Avg) | $40.93 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (National Avg) | $42.41 |
| Radiation Therapist (National Avg) | $48.35 |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Downers Grove, IL earn a median of $98,565 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.36% lower than the national median of $106,398 and 4.60% below the Illinois state average of $103,317.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $47.39/hr = $59,142/year (purchasing power: $60,908).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $98,570/year (purchasing power: $101,514).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$34.72/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$45.15/hr
2026 Current Est.
$47.39/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Downers Grove (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34.72/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $35.45/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $35.08/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $37.99/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $41.20/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $42.76/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $45.15/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47.39/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49.74/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nuclear medicine technologists in Downers Grove grew 30.0% from $34.72/hr (2019) to $45.15/hr (2025). At a 4.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $49.74/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem nuclear medicine technologists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Downers Grove 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.
Working as an Hourly Nuclear Medicine Technologist in Downers Grove
For part-time nuclear medicine technologists working 24 hours a week, annual earnings can still show considerable promise, allowing individuals to expect about $59,646 in take-home pay compared to full-time colleagues. Per diem nuclear medicine technologist pay in Downers Grove varies widely, often falling between $55 and $80 per hour, with PET/CT specialists in outpatient oncology settings potentially earning between $65 and $95 hourly. Moreover, those trained in theranostics may command rates on the higher end in quaternary cancer centers. Differences in compensation can further emerge based on employer types, with hospitals, outpatient imaging centers, and VA medical facilities each offering distinct pay scales. For many, the choice between lower hourly rates with benefits and higher compensation without may hinge on personal needs, emphasizing the importance of effective negotiation strategies amid varying compensation structures in the local job market.
More salary data for Downers Grove, 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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 4.96% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for nuclear medicine technologists in Downers Grove. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Downers Grove 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