Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay in Naperville, IL: $55.50 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nuclear medicine technologist working in Naperville, IL runs $55.50 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $115,452 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Weighted against Naperville's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $57.16 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $69,268 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Nuclear medicine technologists in Naperville, Illinois, command a robust median hourly rate of $55.50, significantly higher than the national median of $51.15. This rate opens avenues for various work schedules, enticing both part-time and per-diem professionals in the field. For those working three days a week, suitable settings include hospital nuclear medicine suites, PET/CT imaging centers, and cardiac stress test rooms, where they can earn a comfortable income. Hourly earnings range widely, from about $40.79 for entry-level positions to as much as $77.67 for seasoned experts. These figures, grounded in the projected 2026 data, reflect the earning potential and growing demand for nuclear medicine technologists, especially in specialty areas like theranostics and mobile PET imaging.
About the Naperville 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) | $40.79 | $326.30 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45.79 | $366.35 |
| Median (P50) | $55.50 | $444.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $63.29 | $506.33 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $77.67 | $621.36 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Naperville
Based on $55.50/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $55.50/hr, a nuclear medicine technologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Naperville, IL can expect to earn approximately $115,446 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $66,603. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Naperville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Naperville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,220.11 | $9,620 | $115,446 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,332.07 | $5,772 | $69,268 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $888.05 | $3,848 | $46,178 |
Compare NMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nuclear Medicine Technologist (Naperville) | $55.50 |
| 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 Naperville, IL earn a median of $115,452 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.51% higher than the national median of $106,398 and 11.80% above the Illinois state average of $103,266.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $55.50/hr = $69,268/year (purchasing power: $71,336).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $115,446/year (purchasing power: $118,894).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$40.66/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$52.88/hr
2026 Current Est.
$55.50/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Naperville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40.66/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $41.52/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $41.09/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $44.50/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $48.25/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $45.74/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $52.88/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55.50/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58.26/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nuclear medicine technologists in Naperville grew 30.0% from $40.66/hr (2019) to $52.88/hr (2025). At a 4.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $58.26/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 Naperville 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 Naperville
When examining part-time and per-diem opportunities, a nuclear medicine technologist working a typical 24-hour week can expect to see substantial annual income, even when compared to full-time colleagues. Per diem nuclear medicine technologists in Naperville may bill between $55 and $80 per hour, depending on their specialization, while those trained in PET/CT and theranostics can command rates from $65 to $95 per hour at outpatient oncology centers or quaternary cancer centers. The hourly earnings vary across different employer types, with hospitals and outpatient facilities offering competitive pay yet sometimes lacking benefits. Some professionals opt for roles with lower hourly rates in exchange for healthcare coverage. For those working in this competitive field, practical negotiation strategies, such as leveraging local market insights, can make a significant difference in maximizing their compensation within Naperville's nuclear medicine landscape.
More salary data for Naperville, 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 Naperville. 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 Naperville 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