Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay in Wheaton, IL: $48.82 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nuclear medicine technologist working in Wheaton, IL runs $48.82 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $101,538 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Weighted against Wheaton's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $50.27 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $60,923 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Wheaton, Illinois, the nuclear medicine technologist hourly pay stands at $48.82, which is slightly below the national median of $51.15. This hourly rate presents a viable option for those considering part-time or per-diem work, particularly in settings such as hospital nuclear medicine suites or outpatient PET/CT imaging centers. For technologists committed to part-time positions, working three days a week may yield a substantial financial return, especially as they navigate from entry-level roles, earning around $39.17 per hour, up to more experienced professionals who can command rates as high as $65.37. The fluctuations in hourly rates reflect overall industry dynamics, where imaging centers and hot labs typically set varying price points for their skilled professionals.
About the Wheaton 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) | $39.17 | $313.37 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42.57 | $340.57 |
| Median (P50) | $48.82 | $390.54 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $56.97 | $455.78 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $65.37 | $522.95 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Wheaton
Based on $48.82/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $48.82/hr, a nuclear medicine technologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Wheaton, IL can expect to earn approximately $101,539 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $58,580. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Wheaton.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Wheaton
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,952.68 | $8,462 | $101,539 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,171.61 | $5,077 | $60,923 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $781.07 | $3,385 | $40,616 |
Compare NMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nuclear Medicine Technologist (Wheaton) | $48.82 |
| 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 Wheaton, IL earn a median of $101,538 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.57% lower than the national median of $106,398 and 1.70% below the Illinois state average of $103,294.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $48.82/hr = $60,923/year (purchasing power: $62,743).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $101,539/year (purchasing power: $104,572).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$35.76/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$46.51/hr
2026 Current Est.
$48.82/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Wheaton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35.76/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $36.52/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $36.14/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $39.14/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $42.44/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $44.05/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $46.51/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48.82/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51.24/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nuclear medicine technologists in Wheaton grew 30.0% from $35.76/hr (2019) to $46.51/hr (2025). At a 4.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $51.24/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 Wheaton 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 Wheaton
Focusing on part-time income, a nuclear medicine technologist who works 24 hours a week could potentially earn over $58,000 annually, which remains competitive even against full-time salaries. For those choosing the per-diem route, billing anywhere from $55 to $80 per hour for their services can significantly enhance their earnings. This sector is known for its diverse environments; PET/CT specialists in oncology settings might reach hourly wages of $65 to $95, while those in theranostics at quaternary cancer centers could receive even higher premiums. Hourly rates indeed differ across employer types in Wheaton, being influenced by hospital budgets or outpatient facility needs. Some professionals may prioritize higher hourly wages over benefits, making informed choices based on personal financial requirements. For those entering negotiations, understanding the local job market and leveraging knowledge of specialties like theranostics can prove advantageous, paving the way for educated decisions about their hourly compensation.
More salary data for Wheaton, 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 Wheaton. 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 Wheaton 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