Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Joliet, IL: $102,647 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Joliet, IL earns a median $102,647/year (≈ $49.35/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Joliet's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $105,713 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Joliet, Illinois, the median annual salary for nuclear medicine technologists is projected to reach $102,647 in 2026, reflecting a competitive job market compared to national figures. The salary range spans from $79,285 at the lower end (P10) to $138,307 for experienced professionals (P90). These estimates, based on 2025 BLS data adjusted for local cost considerations, indicate robust earnings potential in this field. Those who specialize in theranostics, particularly with advanced radiopharmaceuticals, can command higher salaries, thus making this subspecialty a preferred choice among nuclear medicine technologists in Joliet. With the advancing technologies in PET/CT and theranostics, job opportunities are expanding, positioning local professionals favorably in a growing market.
About the Joliet Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($96,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $79,285 | $38.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $87,527 | $42.08 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $102,647 | $49.35 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $119,870 | $57.63 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $138,307 | $66.49 |
Median Salary Position
3.53% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Joliet
In Joliet, IL, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $59,022 (2026 est.). At $102,647, the local median is 3.53% below the national median of $106,398.
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At 40 hours/week in Joliet: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Joliet Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Joliet median: $102,647/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Joliet Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $103,266 | -0.60% less |
| National Average | $106,398 | -3.53% less |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Joliet, IL earn a median of $102,647 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.53% lower than the national median of $106,398 and 0.60% below the Illinois state average of $103,266.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Joliet 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.
Joliet, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A nuclear medicine technologist earning $102,647 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $105,713 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$75,202
2025 BLS Actual
$97,796
2026 Current Est.
$102,647
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Joliet (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $75,202 | Actual |
| 2020 | $76,784 | Actual |
| 2021 | $75,983 | Actual |
| 2022 | $82,293 | Actual |
| 2023 | $89,239 | Actual |
| 2024 | $92,615 | Actual |
| 2025 | $97,796 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $102,647 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $107,738 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Joliet metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 30.0% from $75,202 (2019) to $97,796 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $107,738 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,536 (43.26%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Joliet 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) | $79,285 – $87,527 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $87,527 – $102,647 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $102,647 – $119,870 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $119,870 – $138,307 |
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 Joliet
Looking at the local employment landscape, Joliet has around 25 nuclear medicine technologists currently working, indicating a specialized market that supports these roles. With a cost-of-living index of 97.1, professionals may find that their earnings stretch further, enhancing overall purchasing power in the area. Top employers for nuclear medicine technologists include hospital nuclear medicine departments, outpatient imaging centers, and specialized theranostics facilities offering therapies like lutetium-177. The variation in pay between roles can largely be attributed to differences in credentialing; those with proficiency in both PET/CT and SPECT are finding enhanced opportunities. For technologists looking to maximize their pay, cross-training in advanced modalities, particularly in theranostics, and considering roles in facilities like VA medical centers or mobile imaging companies may lead to higher compensation packages.
More salary data for Joliet, 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
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 $97,796 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Joliet 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 Joliet 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