Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Gurnee, IL: $101,812 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Gurnee, IL earns a median $101,812/year (≈ $48.95/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Gurnee's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $104,853 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The projected median annual salary for nuclear medicine technologists in Gurnee, Illinois, is $101,812 as of 2026, slightly below the national median of $106,398. This figure reflects a competitive local salary range from $79,711 at the 10th percentile to $126,949 at the 90th percentile, illustrating the varying degrees of compensation depending on specialization and experience. These estimates are based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost dynamics. As the demand for advanced imaging services, particularly in theranostics, continues to rise, professionals who expand their skill sets may discover significant salary potential in Gurnee's evolving healthcare landscape.
About the Gurnee Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($96,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $79,711 | $38.32 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $86,822 | $41.74 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $101,812 | $48.95 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $113,807 | $54.72 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $126,949 | $61.03 |
Median Salary Position
4.31% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Gurnee
In Gurnee, IL, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $47,238 (2026 est.). At $101,812, the local median is 4.31% below the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Gurnee: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Gurnee Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Gurnee median: $101,812/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Gurnee Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $103,363 | -1.50% less |
| National Average | $106,398 | -4.31% less |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Gurnee, IL earn a median of $101,812 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.31% lower than the national median of $106,398 and 1.50% below the Illinois state average of $103,363.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Gurnee has a cost of living 2.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Gurnee, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A nuclear medicine technologist earning $101,812 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $104,853 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$74,590
2025 BLS Actual
$97,001
2026 Current Est.
$101,812
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Gurnee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $74,590 | Actual |
| 2020 | $76,160 | Actual |
| 2021 | $75,365 | Actual |
| 2022 | $81,624 | Actual |
| 2023 | $88,513 | Actual |
| 2024 | $91,863 | Actual |
| 2025 | $97,001 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $101,812 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $106,862 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Gurnee metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 30.0% from $74,590 (2019) to $97,001 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $106,862 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,272 (43.27%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Gurnee 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $79,711 – $86,822 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $86,822 – $101,812 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $101,812 – $113,807 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $113,807 – $126,949 |
NMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nuclear medicine technologist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Job Market in Gurnee
With only eight nuclear medicine technologists employed in the Gurnee area, the job market indicates a niche yet potentially lucrative environment for these specialists. The local cost-of-living index stands at 97.1, meaning that while salaries may trend lower than the national average, the affordability of living could enhance take-home purchasing power. Top earners in Gurnee typically find employment in theranostics centers or comprehensive outpatient PET/CT imaging facilities, where expertise in advanced radiopharmaceutical therapies like Pluvicto or Lutathera is valued. The disparity in pay reflects varying technical demands; those trained in both PET/CT and SPECT modalities generally command higher wages. To maximize compensation, technologists should consider obtaining additional certifications and expanding their roles to include on-call responsibilities, thereby increasing their marketability and potential earnings in this specialized field.
More salary data for Gurnee, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can nuclear medicine technologists make $100K in Gurnee?
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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
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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $97,001 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Gurnee metropolitan area. A 4.96% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Gurnee 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