Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay in Park Ridge, IL: $47.76 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nuclear medicine technologist working in Park Ridge, IL runs $47.76 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $99,335 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Weighted against Park Ridge's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $49.18 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $59,600 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Park Ridge, Illinois, a nuclear medicine technologist earns a median hourly rate of $47.76, which falls below the national median of $51.15. This rate shows how local compensation can vary even within the same profession, reflecting regional economic conditions and demand for skilled technologists. For part-time professionals working three days a week, this hourly rate translates into a significant income while allowing for more flexible schedules, ideal for those balancing personal commitments or pursuing further education. The hourly pay ranges from $39.38 for entry-level positions to as much as $61.89 for top earners, showcasing the potential for growth and experience in various settings, including hospital nuclear medicine suites, outpatient PET/CT imaging centers, and mobile PET trailers.
About the Park Ridge Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($96,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39.38 | $315.05 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42.19 | $337.55 |
| Median (P50) | $47.76 | $382.05 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $53.02 | $424.12 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $61.89 | $495.16 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Park Ridge
Based on $47.76/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $47.76/hr, a nuclear medicine technologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Park Ridge, IL can expect to earn approximately $99,334 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $57,308. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Park Ridge.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Park Ridge
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,910.27 | $8,278 | $99,334 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,146.16 | $4,967 | $59,600 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $764.11 | $3,311 | $39,734 |
Compare NMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nuclear Medicine Technologist (Park Ridge) | $47.76 |
| Radiologic Technologist (National Avg) | $35.27 |
| MRI Technologist (National Avg) | $40.93 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (National Avg) | $42.41 |
| Radiation Therapist (National Avg) | $48.35 |
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.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $47.76/hr = $59,600/year (purchasing power: $61,381).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $99,334/year (purchasing power: $102,301).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$34.99/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$45.50/hr
2026 Current Est.
$47.76/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Hourly Rate 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 | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34.99/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $35.72/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $35.35/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $38.29/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $41.52/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $43.09/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $45.50/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47.76/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50.13/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nuclear medicine technologists in Park Ridge grew 30.0% from $34.99/hr (2019) to $45.50/hr (2025). At a 4.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $50.13/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem nuclear medicine technologists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
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.
Working as an Hourly Nuclear Medicine Technologist in Park Ridge
Part-time nuclear medicine technologists in Park Ridge working a typical 24-hour week can expect to earn $58,671 annually, substantially less than their full-time counterparts. In contrast, per diem opportunities abound, with varying pay rates of $55 to $80 per hour, especially for specialized roles like PET/CT technology or theranostics, where top professionals can command $65 to $95 per hour in outpatient oncology centers or quaternary cancer facilities. Hourly rates differ across employer types, from hospitals to VA medical centers and mobile imaging companies, reflecting the demand in each area. While some technologists may accept lower pay for the security of health insurance benefits, others may prefer the flexibility and higher compensation of per diem work. For those negotiating hourly pay, understanding the local market and emphasizing specialized skills in areas like theranostics can make a significant difference in the final offer.
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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 4.96% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for nuclear medicine technologists in Park Ridge. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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