Entry-Level Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Des Plaines, IL: $77,538 (2026)
Quick Answer:New nuclear medicine technologists entering the Des Plaines, IL job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $77,538 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2033, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Des Plaines's local price level (BEA RPP 97.1 — 3% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $79,854 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($99,878) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For new graduates entering the workforce as nuclear medicine technologists in Des Plaines, Illinois, the starting pay can be somewhat modest but promising. In 2026, the entry-level nuclear medicine technologist salary in Des Plaines is projected to begin around $77,538. While this falls below the city’s median annual salary of $99,878, it does indicate opportunities for growth as early-career professionals often see incremental salary increases over the first few years. New grads can expect their incomes to rise to about $82,965 as they gain experience and credentials, inching closer to the median as they progress in their careers. Given the robust healthcare market in Des Plaines, recent graduates are likely to find employment opportunities that facilitate their professional development.
About the Des Plaines Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($96,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Des Plaines
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Des Plaines
Entry-level nuclear medicine technologists in Des Plaines, IL typically start between $77,538 and $82,965 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $52,961 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $99,878 — 6.13% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average nuclear medicine program cost in Illinois of $36,000 represents just 46.43% of the starting nuclear medicine technologist pay ($77,538/year) in Des Plaines. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on JRCNMT-accredited nuclear medicine technology program data. Available as associate degree, bachelor's degree, or post-primary certificate pathways. Tuition-only averages; actual costs vary significantly by institution type.
NMT Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Des Plaines
- 1Research the Des Plaines market: entry-level nuclear medicine technologist pay ranges from $77,538 to $82,965, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the nuclear medicine field — employers in IL often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Des Plaines, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Des Plaines for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Des Plaines's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Compensation Range
The nuclear medicine technologist wage spread in Des Plaines is $52,961 ( 68.30%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $77,538, experienced hygienists can earn up to $130,499.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$53,513
2025 BLS Actual
$73,874
2026 Current Est.
$77,538
2019–2027 Growth
+52.1%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Des Plaines (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,513 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,715 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,288 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,196 | Actual |
| 2023 | $65,567 | Actual |
| 2024 | $70,741 | Actual |
| 2025 | $73,874 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77,538 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $81,384 | Projected |
Entry-level nuclear medicine technologist compensation (10th percentile) in Des Plaines, IL grew 38.0% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $53,513 in 2019 to $73,874 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $81,384. New graduates entering the Des Plaines job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Des Plaines 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.
Starting Your nuclear medicine Career in Des Plaines
In terms of potential employers, hospitals and outpatient PET imaging centers in Des Plaines typically hire newly credentialed technologists, providing valuable opportunities for gainful employment. The most viable positions are often found in hospital nuclear medicine departments that offer paid PET/CT cross-training to bolster qualifications and enhance starting pay. Obtaining relevant certifications through accredited institutions, such as the NMTCB or ARRT(N), can also provide a competitive edge that potentially increases earnings. Moreover, cross-training in CT offers advantages in securing roles, particularly as the demand rises in PET/CT and theranostics—areas predicted to expand significantly. In the initial three years, new technologists can realistically expect to see their salaries grow modestly as they navigate the evolving landscape of nuclear medicine, with more advanced specialties commanding higher wages due to their complexity and importance in patient care.
More salary data for Des Plaines, 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
Entry-level 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 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new nuclear medicine graduates. A 4.96% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Des Plaines. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Des Plaines 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