Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Normal, IL: $100,164 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Normal, IL earns a median $100,164/year (≈ $48.16/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Normal's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $103,156 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.0% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the median annual salary for a nuclear medicine technologist in Normal, Illinois is projected to be $100,164. This figure reflects a competitive market, with salaries ranging from $75,286 at the tenth percentile to as high as $131,434 at the ninetieth percentile. These estimates, based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, indicate that those specializing in theranostics and advanced imaging techniques can command premium compensation, as demand for these services continues to grow. However, it's important to consider the unique characteristics of the local job market, where specific skills and credentials can significantly influence pay.
About the Normal Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($96,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $75,286 | $36.19 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $83,540 | $40.17 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $100,164 | $48.16 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $115,289 | $55.43 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $131,434 | $63.19 |
Median Salary Position
5.86% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Normal
In Normal, IL, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $56,148 (2026 est.). At $100,164, the local median is 5.86% below the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Normal: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Normal Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Normal median: $100,164/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Normal Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $103,262 | -3.00% less |
| National Average | $106,398 | -5.86% less |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Normal, IL earn a median of $100,164 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.86% lower than the national median of $106,398 and 3.00% below the Illinois state average of $103,262.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Normal 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.
Normal, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A nuclear medicine technologist earning $100,164 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $103,156 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$73,383
2025 BLS Actual
$95,431
2026 Current Est.
$100,164
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Normal (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $73,383 | Actual |
| 2020 | $74,927 | Actual |
| 2021 | $74,146 | Actual |
| 2022 | $80,302 | Actual |
| 2023 | $87,081 | Actual |
| 2024 | $90,375 | Actual |
| 2025 | $95,431 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $100,164 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $105,133 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Normal metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 30.0% from $73,383 (2019) to $95,431 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $105,133 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,750 (43.27%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Normal 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) | $75,286 – $83,540 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $83,540 – $100,164 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $100,164 – $115,289 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $115,289 – $131,434 |
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 Normal
With only eight nuclear medicine technologists employed in Normal, the local job market presents both challenges and opportunities. The cost of living index in Normal stands at 97.1, which is slightly below the national average, impacting the purchasing power of local salaries. Employers such as hospital nuclear medicine departments and outpatient PET/CT imaging centers tend to offer the highest salaries, particularly for technologists with specialized expertise, such as experience in theranostics or CT cross-training. The pay spread in this area can be largely attributed to the credential mix, where professionals familiar with both PET/CT and SPECT technologies may secure better pay. To maximize earning potential in this market, focusing on developing skills in high-demand areas like theranostics, seeking cross-training opportunities, and being open to on-call positions where radiopharmaceutical timing is crucial can provide significant advantages.
More salary data for Normal, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can nuclear medicine technologists make $100K in Normal?
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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 $95,431 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Normal 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 Normal 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