Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Evanston, IL: $102,733 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Evanston, IL earns a median $102,733/year (≈ $49.39/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Evanston's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $105,801 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Evanston, Illinois, individuals pursuing a career as nuclear medicine technologists can expect a median annual salary of $102,733 in 2026, slightly below the national median of $106,398. The salary range spans from $76,125 at the 10th percentile to $139,703 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse market for such professionals. These figures are derived from state-level estimates based on 2025 BLS data, reflecting regional price adjustments. The local employment landscape, primarily influenced by the structural choice between hospital departments and outpatient PET/CT imaging centers, shapes the pay scale and opportunities for specialists in nuclear medicine.
About the Evanston Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($96,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $76,125 | $36.60 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $84,863 | $40.80 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $102,733 | $49.39 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $121,501 | $58.41 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $139,703 | $67.16 |
Median Salary Position
3.44% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Evanston
In Evanston, IL, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $63,578 (2026 est.). At $102,733, the local median is 3.44% below the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Evanston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Evanston Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Evanston median: $102,733/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Evanston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $103,353 | -0.60% less |
| National Average | $106,398 | -3.44% less |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Evanston, IL earn a median of $102,733 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.44% lower than the national median of $106,398 and 0.60% below the Illinois state average of $103,353.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Evanston 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.
Evanston, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A nuclear medicine technologist earning $102,733 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $105,801 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$75,265
2025 BLS Actual
$97,878
2026 Current Est.
$102,733
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Evanston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $75,265 | Actual |
| 2020 | $76,848 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,047 | Actual |
| 2022 | $82,362 | Actual |
| 2023 | $89,314 | Actual |
| 2024 | $92,694 | Actual |
| 2025 | $97,878 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $102,733 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $107,828 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Evanston metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 30.0% from $75,265 (2019) to $97,878 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $107,828 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,563 (43.26%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Evanston 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) | $76,125 – $84,863 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $84,863 – $102,733 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $102,733 – $121,501 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $121,501 – $139,703 |
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 Evanston
The job market for nuclear medicine technologists in Evanston is currently robust, with around 16 professionals employed in the area. The cost-of-living index stands at 97.1, slightly below the national average, which impacts take-home purchasing power. Institutions typically offering higher wages include hospital nuclear medicine departments and specialized outpatient PET/CT centers, particularly those focusing on advanced theranostic treatments like lutetium-177 therapies. The earnings disparity often stems from factors such as PET/CT credentialing versus SPECT-only capabilities, the premium for experience in theranostics, and the demands of on-call coverage for radiopharmaceutical timing. Those aiming to maximize nuclear medicine technologist pay in Evanston should consider enhancing their skill set through cross-training in CT and pursuing advanced certifications aligned with emerging radiopharmaceutical therapies.
More salary data for Evanston, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nuclear medicine technologists make in Evanston, IL in 2026?
Is Evanston, IL a good place to work as a nuclear medicine technologist?
Can nuclear medicine technologists make $100K in Evanston?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted nuclear medicine technologist salary in Evanston?
How much does a nuclear medicine technologist make per hour in Evanston?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Illinois
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 $97,878 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Evanston 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 Evanston 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