Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Downers Grove, IL: $98,565 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Downers Grove, IL earns a median $98,565/year (≈ $47.39/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Downers Grove's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $101,509 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.6% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Downers Grove, the projected median annual salary for nuclear medicine technologists in 2026 is $98,565, reflecting a competitive local market for this healthcare specialty. The full salary range spans from $80,030 at the lower end (P10) to $129,754 at the high end (P90), indicating a significant potential for income variation based on experience and specialization. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost differences. The salary potential in this area showcases the importance of advanced training and certifications, particularly in emerging fields such as theranostics, which contributes a premium on compensation for those skilled in this cutting-edge area of nuclear medicine.
About the Downers Grove Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($96,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,030 | $38.48 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $86,167 | $41.43 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $98,565 | $47.39 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $114,353 | $54.98 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $129,754 | $62.38 |
Median Salary Position
7.36% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Downers Grove
In Downers Grove, IL, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $49,724 (2026 est.). At $98,565, the local median is 7.36% below the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Downers Grove: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Downers Grove Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Downers Grove median: $98,565/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Downers Grove Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $103,317 | -4.60% less |
| National Average | $106,398 | -7.36% less |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Downers Grove, IL earn a median of $98,565 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.36% lower than the national median of $106,398 and 4.60% below the Illinois state average of $103,317.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Downers Grove has a cost of living 2.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Downers Grove, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A nuclear medicine technologist earning $98,565 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $101,509 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$72,211
2025 BLS Actual
$93,907
2026 Current Est.
$98,565
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Downers Grove (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $72,211 | Actual |
| 2020 | $73,730 | Actual |
| 2021 | $72,962 | Actual |
| 2022 | $79,020 | Actual |
| 2023 | $85,690 | Actual |
| 2024 | $88,933 | Actual |
| 2025 | $93,907 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $98,565 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $103,454 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Downers Grove metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 30.0% from $72,211 (2019) to $93,907 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $103,454 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,243 (43.27%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Downers Grove 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) | $80,030 – $86,167 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $86,167 – $98,565 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $98,565 – $114,353 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $114,353 – $129,754 |
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 Downers Grove
Employment opportunities for nuclear medicine technologists in Downers Grove appear robust, with 11 professionals currently working in the field. The cost of living index in Downers Grove stands at 97.1, suggesting a favorable environment for take-home pay compared to national averages. Local employers such as hospital nuclear medicine departments, outpatient PET/CT imaging centers, and theranostics facilities tend to offer the highest salaries. The disparity in wages among technologists can be influenced by factors such as credential types, experience in PET/CT versus SPECT, and the demand for on-call availability for radiopharmaceutical procedures. For those looking to maximize their income in Downers Grove, pursuing cross-training in CT, staying updated with the latest in theranostics, and seeking opportunities at facilities that emphasize advanced imaging techniques can prove beneficial.
More salary data for Downers Grove, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can nuclear medicine technologists make $100K in Downers Grove?
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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 $93,907 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Downers Grove 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
Salary data for Downers Grove 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