Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Illinois: $106,948 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Illinois's 64 metropolitan areas, the average median nuclear medicine technologist pay sits at $106,948/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2033. Because Illinois sits at BEA RPP 97.1 (3% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $110,142 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Naperville ($109,996), Chicago ($108,860), Elgin ($107,889).
In 2026, nuclear medicine technologists in Illinois are projected to earn an average median salary of $106,948, slightly above the national median of $106,398, reflecting a positive variance of 0.5%. Salary levels vary significantly across cities; for instance, Naperville leads with a salary of $115,452, while Carbondale offers the lowest at $96,768, creating a gap of $18,684. This disparity is influenced by factors such as cost of living, demand for healthcare services in urban versus rural areas, and the presence of advanced medical facilities. Working as a nuclear medicine technologist in Illinois requires state licensing, which ensures adherence to specific educational and training standards. The scope of practice laws established by the state influence job responsibilities and can impact salary levels. The demand for nuclear medicine technologists is driven by advancements in imaging technology and an aging population, contributing to a projected annual growth rate of 4.96% in this field. With approximately 1,215 technologists employed statewide, major markets such as Chicago ($114,259), Elgin ($113,240), and Decatur and Orland Park (both at $104,754) highlight promising job opportunities. Overall, the market outlook for nuclear medicine technologists in Illinois appears stable, with steady demand anticipated in the coming years.
Illinois Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Illinois: $74,614 (lowest entry-level) to $161,551 (highest top earner)
Illinois vs National Average
Illinois nuclear medicine technologists earn 0.52% more than the national median (+$550/year difference).
Illinois Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary Distribution (2026)
Nuclear Medicine Technologist salaries in Illinois range from $84,484 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $133,164 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $106,948. The Illinois median is $550 above the US national median of $106,398. The average hourly rate is $51.42/hr. Approximately 1,215 nuclear medicine technologists are employed across 64 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$85,530
2025 BLS Actual
$101,894
2026 Current Est.
$106,948
2019–2027 Growth
+31.2%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Illinois (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $85,530 | Actual |
| 2020 | $85,730 | Actual |
| 2021 | $82,940 | Actual |
| 2022 | $99,280 | Actual |
| 2023 | $101,490 | Actual |
| 2024 | $96,351 | Actual |
| 2025 | $101,894 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $106,948 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $112,252 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Illinois metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 19.1% from $85,530 (2019) to $101,894 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $112,252 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,722 (31.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Illinois 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Illinois
Lowest Paying Cities in Illinois
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Carbondale | $96,768 |
| Elmhurst | $97,731 |
| Calumet City | $97,972 |
| Galesburg | $98,004 |
| Crystal Lake | $98,381 |
Best Value Cities for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Illinois
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Illinois cities offer the most purchasing power for nuclear medicine technologists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Naperville | $115,452 | 97.1 | $118,900 |
| Elgin | $113,240 | 97.1 | $116,622 |
| Chicago | $114,259 | 103.595 | $110,294 |
| Decatur | $104,754 | 97.1 | $107,883 |
| Orland Park | $104,754 | 97.1 | $107,883 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Illinois
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $84,484 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $106,948 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $133,164 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Illinois metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 64 Cities in Illinois
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Naperville | $115,452 |
| 2 | Chicago | $114,259 |
| 3 | Elgin | $113,240 |
| 4 | Decatur | $104,754 |
| 5 | Orland Park | $104,754 |
| 6 | Bolingbrook | $104,304 |
| 7 | Champaign | $104,058 |
| 8 | Peoria | $103,573 |
| 9 | Palatine | $103,519 |
| 10 | Waukegan | $103,461 |
| 11 | Mount Prospect | $103,265 |
| 12 | Hoffman Estates | $102,929 |
| 13 | Evanston | $102,733 |
| 14 | Joliet | $102,647 |
| 15 | Oak Park | $102,562 |
| 16 | Rockford | $102,471 |
| 17 | Danville | $102,350 |
| 18 | Springfield | $102,296 |
| 19 | Addison | $102,132 |
| 20 | Berwyn | $102,087 |
| 21 | Aurora | $102,020 |
| 22 | Tinley Park | $102,005 |
| 23 | Moline | $101,989 |
| 24 | Northbrook | $101,900 |
| 25 | St. Charles | $101,836 |
| 26 | Gurnee | $101,812 |
| 27 | Arlington Heights | $101,670 |
| 28 | Wheaton | $101,538 |
| 29 | Woodridge | $101,508 |
| 30 | Schaumburg | $101,456 |
| 31 | Buffalo Grove | $101,427 |
| 32 | Bartlett | $101,420 |
| 33 | Lake in the Hills | $101,043 |
| 34 | Collinsville | $101,026 |
| 35 | Skokie | $100,999 |
| 36 | Wheeling | $100,850 |
| 37 | Carpentersville | $100,737 |
| 38 | Oak Lawn | $100,671 |
| 39 | O'Fallon | $100,649 |
| 40 | Rock Island | $100,409 |
| 41 | Quincy | $100,257 |
| 42 | Algonquin | $100,257 |
| 43 | Bloomington | $100,221 |
| 44 | Carol Stream | $100,169 |
| 45 | Normal | $100,164 |
| 46 | Lombard | $100,105 |
| 47 | Cicero | $100,001 |
| 48 | Plainfield | $99,896 |
| 49 | Des Plaines | $99,878 |
| 50 | Urbana | $99,848 |
| 51 | Oswego | $99,495 |
| 52 | DeKalb | $99,415 |
| 53 | Park Ridge | $99,335 |
| 54 | Hanover Park | $99,295 |
| 55 | Glenview | $99,287 |
| 56 | Romeoville | $98,886 |
| 57 | Streamwood | $98,750 |
| 58 | Downers Grove | $98,565 |
| 59 | Belleville | $98,542 |
| 60 | Crystal Lake | $98,381 |
| 61 | Galesburg | $98,004 |
| 62 | Calumet City | $97,972 |
| 63 | Elmhurst | $97,731 |
| 64 | Carbondale | $96,768 |
More Illinois Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore nuclear medicine technologist hourly pay in Illinois cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced nuclear medicine technologists.
Compare Cities in Illinois
View all comparisons →Explore More Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nuclear medicine technologists make in Illinois in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for nuclear medicine technologists in Illinois?
How does Illinois nuclear medicine technologist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level nuclear medicine technologist salary in Illinois?
How many nuclear medicine technologists are employed in Illinois?
Which Illinois city offers the best value for nuclear medicine technologists?
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
Statewide 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. A 4.96% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 nuclear medicine technologist compensation across Illinois. State averages are employment-weighted across 64 metro areas — larger metro areas with more nuclear medicine technologistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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