Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Rockford, IL: $102,471 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Rockford, IL earns a median $102,471/year (≈ $49.27/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Rockford's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $105,531 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Rockford, Illinois, the landscape of nuclear medicine technologist salaries reveals promising earning potential, particularly in specialized areas like theranostics. With a median annual salary of $102,471 projected for 2026, local professionals are positioned slightly below the national median of $106,398. The salary range for these roles spans from $78,776 at the lower end to $141,265 at the upper echelon, signaling opportunities for significant financial advancement based on experience and specialization. These figures are sourced from 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, and adjusted for regional price levels, illustrating both the competitive pay and the potential for growth within Rockford's job market.
About the Rockford Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($96,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,776 | $37.87 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $87,173 | $41.91 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $102,471 | $49.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $121,801 | $58.56 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $141,265 | $67.92 |
Median Salary Position
3.69% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rockford
In Rockford, IL, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $62,489 (2026 est.). At $102,471, the local median is 3.69% below the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Rockford: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Rockford Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Rockford median: $102,471/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rockford Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $103,298 | -0.80% less |
| National Average | $106,398 | -3.69% less |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Rockford, IL earn a median of $102,471 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.69% lower than the national median of $106,398 and 0.80% below the Illinois state average of $103,298.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rockford 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.
Rockford, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A nuclear medicine technologist earning $102,471 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $105,531 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$75,073
2025 BLS Actual
$97,629
2026 Current Est.
$102,471
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Rockford (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $75,073 | Actual |
| 2020 | $76,653 | Actual |
| 2021 | $75,853 | Actual |
| 2022 | $82,152 | Actual |
| 2023 | $89,086 | Actual |
| 2024 | $92,457 | Actual |
| 2025 | $97,629 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $102,471 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $107,554 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rockford metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 30.0% from $75,073 (2019) to $97,629 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $107,554 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,481 (43.27%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rockford 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) | $78,776 – $87,173 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $87,173 – $102,471 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $102,471 – $121,801 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $121,801 – $141,265 |
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 Rockford
The local job environment currently employs 34 nuclear medicine technologists, contributing to a stable yet evolving market. With a cost-of-living index at 97.1, professionals enjoy favorable purchasing power compared to more expensive regions, allowing for a comfortable lifestyle. Major employers in Rockford, such as hospital nuclear medicine departments and outpatient PET/CT imaging centers, typically offer some of the highest salaries in the area. The disparity between lower and higher salaries here can be attributed to various factors, including credential mix and specialization in emerging therapies like those involving lutetium-177. Technologists can enhance their earnings by pursuing advanced certifications, cross-training in CT, or securing roles at theranostics centers. Understanding the fundamentals of radiopharmaceuticals and participating in ongoing education through organizations like the SNMMI-TS can further aid in maximizing nuclear medicine technologist pay in Rockford, IL.
More salary data for Rockford, 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 $97,629 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Rockford 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 Rockford 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