Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Chicago, IL: $114,259 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Chicago, IL earns a median $114,259/year (≈ $54.94/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Chicago's price level (4% above national, BEA RPP 103.6), that paycheck buys what $110,294 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 10.6% above the Illinois state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Chicago, nuclear medicine technologists can expect a median annual salary of $114,259 in 2026, representing a 7.39% premium over the national average of $106,398 for this profession. The salary range for these professionals in the city extends from $92,113 at the 10th percentile to $129,689 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the variations in demand and specialty experience among practitioners. This data stems from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, projecting the trends for the upcoming year. With the growth of theranostics—a burgeoning field within nuclear medicine—technologists with expertise in radiopharmaceutical therapies such as Pluvicto and Lutathera may find opportunities that yield higher compensation, further enhancing Chicago’s job market attractiveness.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $92,113 | $44.28 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $105,044 | $50.51 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $114,259 | $54.94 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $125,322 | $60.26 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $129,689 | $62.35 |
Median Salary Position
7.39% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chicago
In Chicago, IL, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $37,576 (2026 est.). At $114,259, the local median is 7.39% above the national median of $106,398.
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How Chicago Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Chicago median: $114,259/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Chicago Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $103,309 | +10.60% more |
| National Average | $106,398 | +7.39% more |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Chicago, IL earn a median of $114,259 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.39% higher than the national median of $106,398 and 10.60% above the Illinois state average of $103,309.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Chicago has a cost of living 3.59% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Chicago, IL has a cost-of-living index of 103.595 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $114,259 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $110,294 — a 3.47% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$85,530
2025 BLS Actual
$108,860
2026 Current Est.
$114,259
2019–2027 Growth
+40.2%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Chicago (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $85,530 | Actual |
| 2020 | $85,730 | Actual |
| 2021 | $82,940 | Actual |
| 2022 | $99,280 | Actual |
| 2023 | $101,490 | Actual |
| 2024 | $103,170 | Actual |
| 2025 | $108,860 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $114,259 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $119,927 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Chicago metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 27.3% from $85,530 (2019) to $108,860 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $119,927 by 2027 — a total increase of $34,397 (40.22%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chicago 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) | $92,113 – $105,044 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $105,044 – $114,259 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $114,259 – $125,322 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $125,322 – $129,689 |
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 Chicago
Chicago's job market for nuclear medicine technologists is robust, with around 480 professionals employed in the area. While the local cost of living index sits at 103.595, above the national average, it indicates that salaries must not only cover housing and daily expenses but also keep up with rising costs. Facilities such as hospital nuclear medicine departments, outpatient PET/CT imaging centers, and advanced theranostics centers often offer the highest pay. Factors influencing the pay disparity include the nature of the work—those skilled in PET/CT imaging typically earn more than peers focused solely on SPECT scans. Additionally, cross-training opportunities and roles requiring on-call coverage can command salary premiums. To optimize earnings in Chicago, nuclear medicine technologists should consider seeking advanced certifications, cross-training in CT, and gaining experience in high-demand therapeutic areas, as these can significantly enhance their marketability and income potential in this competitive environment.
More salary data for Chicago, 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 $108,860 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Chicago 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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