Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay in Wheeling, IL: $48.48 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nuclear medicine technologist working in Wheeling, IL runs $48.48 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $100,850 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Weighted against Wheeling's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $49.93 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $60,504 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For a nuclear medicine technologist in Wheeling, IL, the projected hourly pay in 2026 stands at $48.48, slightly below the national median of $51.15. This level of compensation can appeal to those considering part-time work; for instance, a nuclear medicine technologist working three days a week could expect to take home a respectable income while also maintaining flexibility in their schedule. The hourly earnings for this profession range from $39.69 for entry-level positions to as much as $64.14 for those at the top of their field. These rates reflect estimates derived from annual salary data, illustrating the financial dynamics within various settings such as hospitals, outpatient imaging centers, or specialized theranostics suites.
About the Wheeling 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) | $39.69 | $317.48 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42.66 | $341.25 |
| Median (P50) | $48.48 | $387.85 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $56.55 | $452.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $64.14 | $513.13 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Wheeling
Based on $48.48/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $48.48/hr, a nuclear medicine technologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Wheeling, IL can expect to earn approximately $100,841 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $58,177. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Wheeling.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Wheeling
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,939.24 | $8,403 | $100,841 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,163.54 | $5,042 | $60,504 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $775.70 | $3,361 | $40,336 |
Compare NMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nuclear Medicine Technologist (Wheeling) | $48.48 |
| 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 Wheeling, IL earn a median of $100,850 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.21% lower than the national median of $106,398 and 2.40% below the Illinois state average of $103,330.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $48.48/hr = $60,504/year (purchasing power: $62,311).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $100,841/year (purchasing power: $103,852).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$35.52/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$46.19/hr
2026 Current Est.
$48.48/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Wheeling (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35.52/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $36.27/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $35.89/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $38.87/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $42.15/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $43.75/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $46.19/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48.48/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50.89/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nuclear medicine technologists in Wheeling grew 30.0% from $35.52/hr (2019) to $46.19/hr (2025). At a 4.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $50.89/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 Wheeling 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 Wheeling
In analyzing the earning potential, part-time nuclear medicine technologists working 24 hours a week can still achieve a reasonable income, albeit less than their full-time counterparts. Per-diem nuclear medicine technologist pay in Wheeling reflects a different reality, with rates typically ranging from $55 to $80 per hour, and those specializing in PET/CT imaging at outpatient oncology centers can command even more, often between $65 and $95 per hour. Pay rates significantly vary by employer type; specialists at quaternary cancer centers or mobile PET imaging companies may earn premiums based on their qualifications and unique skills. Technologists must weigh the benefits of consistent employment with health insurance against higher hourly rates without such benefits. When negotiating, it’s advisable to understand the market value, especially since the cost of living in Wheeling is slightly below the national average, influencing salary discussions within this niche sector.
More salary data for Wheeling, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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How much do part-time nuclear medicine technologists make in Wheeling?
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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 Wheeling. 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 Wheeling 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