Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Park Ridge, IL: $99,335 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Park Ridge, IL earns a median $99,335/year (≈ $47.76/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Park Ridge's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $102,302 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.8% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Nuclear medicine technologists in Park Ridge, Illinois, can expect a median annual salary of $99,335 in 2026. This figure is lower than the national median of $106,398, highlighting a competitive local market for skilled professionals in this field. The salary range for this occupation in Park Ridge falls between $81,914 at the 10th percentile and $128,732 at the 90th percentile, indicating a notable disparity in earnings that reflects various levels of experience, credentialing, and job settings. These local estimates, derived from projections based on 2025 BLS state-level data and regional cost considerations, reveal that technologists can find robust opportunities in both hospital nuclear medicine departments and outpatient PET/CT imaging centers. The varying compensation packages press the importance of specialization and market position in shaping earning potential for nuclear medicine technologists in the area.
About the Park Ridge Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($96,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $81,914 | $39.38 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $87,770 | $42.19 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $99,335 | $47.76 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $110,278 | $53.02 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $128,732 | $61.89 |
Median Salary Position
6.64% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Park Ridge
In Park Ridge, IL, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $46,818 (2026 est.). At $99,335, the local median is 6.64% below the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Park Ridge: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Park Ridge Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Park Ridge median: $99,335/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Park Ridge Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $103,259 | -3.80% less |
| National Average | $106,398 | -6.64% less |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Park Ridge, IL earn a median of $99,335 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.64% lower than the national median of $106,398 and 3.80% below the Illinois state average of $103,259.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Park Ridge 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.
Park Ridge, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A nuclear medicine technologist earning $99,335 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $102,302 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$72,776
2025 BLS Actual
$94,641
2026 Current Est.
$99,335
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Park Ridge (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $72,776 | Actual |
| 2020 | $74,307 | Actual |
| 2021 | $73,532 | Actual |
| 2022 | $79,638 | Actual |
| 2023 | $86,360 | Actual |
| 2024 | $89,627 | Actual |
| 2025 | $94,641 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $99,335 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $104,262 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Park Ridge metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 30.0% from $72,776 (2019) to $94,641 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $104,262 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,486 (43.26%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Park Ridge 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) | $81,914 – $87,770 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $87,770 – $99,335 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $99,335 – $110,278 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $110,278 – $128,732 |
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 Park Ridge
In Park Ridge, the job market for nuclear medicine technologists is established yet shows room for growth, with only seven professionals currently employed in the field. The cost-of-living index sits at 97.1, slightly below the national average, which impacts the purchasing power of salaries in the region. Among local employers, those associated with outpatient PET/CT imaging centers tend to offer higher salaries, particularly for technologists experienced with emerging theranostics therapies. The variation in pay stems from factors such as advanced accreditation (e.g., SNMMI-TS, NMTCB), the mix of PET/CT versus SPECT-only credentials, and the level of responsibility concerning on-call coverage for radiopharmaceutical management. To maximize their earnings, nuclear medicine technologists in Park Ridge should focus on enhancing their skill sets, pursuing cross-training opportunities in imaging modalities, and seeking certifications in the rapidly growing areas of nuclear cardiology and theranostics, which are substantially influencing income potential.
More salary data for Park Ridge, 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 $94,641 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Park Ridge 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 Park Ridge 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