Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Palatine, IL: $103,519 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nuclear medicine technologist in Palatine, IL earns a median $103,519/year (≈ $49.77/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2033). Once you factor in Palatine's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $106,611 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% above the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a median annual salary projected at $103,519, nuclear medicine technologists in Palatine, Illinois, are positioned competitively within the market. This salary reflects a range from $77,556 at the lower end to $136,051 at the higher end, offering a notable spectrum based on experience and specialization. These figures, based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, account for local economic factors and cost-of-living adjustments in the area. The growth potential over the coming years is promising, particularly for professionals skilled in theranostics, which often brings in a premium reflecting the demand for advanced radiopharmaceutical therapies like Lutathera and Pluvicto. Understanding the nuances of compensation in Palatine's job market is essential for technologists looking to advance in this dynamic field.
About the Palatine Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($96,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $77,556 | $37.28 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $86,466 | $41.57 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $103,519 | $49.77 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $119,280 | $57.35 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $136,051 | $65.41 |
Median Salary Position
2.71% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Palatine
In Palatine, IL, the nuclear medicine technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $58,495 (2026 est.). At $103,519, the local median is 2.71% below the national median of $106,398.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Palatine: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Palatine Nuclear Medicine Technologist Pay Compares
Palatine median: $103,519/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Palatine Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $103,312 | +0.20% more |
| National Average | $106,398 | -2.71% less |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Palatine, IL earn a median of $103,519 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.71% lower than the national median of $106,398 and 0.20% above the Illinois state average of $103,312.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Palatine 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.
Palatine, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A nuclear medicine technologist earning $103,519 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $106,611 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$75,841
2025 BLS Actual
$98,627
2026 Current Est.
$103,519
2019–2027 Growth
+43.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Palatine (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $75,841 | Actual |
| 2020 | $77,436 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,629 | Actual |
| 2022 | $82,992 | Actual |
| 2023 | $89,997 | Actual |
| 2024 | $93,402 | Actual |
| 2025 | $98,627 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $103,519 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $108,653 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Palatine metropolitan area, the median nuclear medicine technologist salary grew 30.0% from $75,841 (2019) to $98,627 (2025). At a 4.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $108,653 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,812 (43.26%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Palatine 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) | $77,556 – $86,466 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $86,466 – $103,519 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $103,519 – $119,280 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $119,280 – $136,051 |
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 Palatine
Within the Palatine job market, 16 nuclear medicine technologists are currently employed, indicative of a specialized and growing sector. The cost of living index stands at 97.1, slightly below the national average, which enhances the purchasing power of salaries in the area. Top-paying employers include hospital nuclear medicine departments and outpatient PET/CT imaging centers, where technologists equipped with a mix of SPECT and PET/CT certifications enjoy a wage premium. Factors driving the disparity in pay range from the need for cross-training in CT and on-call coverage for radiopharmaceutical timings to specialization in theranostics. To maximize nuclear medicine technologist pay in Palatine, focusing on acquiring competencies in theranostics and outpatient imaging, as well as maintaining flexibility for varied roles, can lead to enhanced earnings in this competitive local market.
More salary data for Palatine, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nuclear medicine technologists make in Palatine, IL in 2026?
Is Palatine, IL a good place to work as a nuclear medicine technologist?
Can nuclear medicine technologists make $100K in Palatine?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted nuclear medicine technologist salary in Palatine?
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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 $98,627 for nuclear medicine technologistsin the Palatine 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 Palatine 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