Radiologic Technologist and Technician Salary in Chicago, IL
Radiologic Technologists and Technicians in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median $82,140 a year — 3% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $62,694 take-home, or $5,225 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median radiologic technologist and technician salary in Chicago, IL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$9,241
- Social Security (6.2%)$5,093
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,191
- Illinois income tax$3,921
- Take-home pay$62,694
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 4.95% state
The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro spans Illinois, Indiana. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Radiologic Technologist and Technician pay by experience in Chicago, IL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $60,130 | $28.91 | $47,663 | $3,972 |
| 25th percentile | $67,940 | $32.66 | $53,408 | $4,451 |
| Median (50th) | $82,140 | $39.49 | $62,694 | $5,225 |
| 75th percentile | $99,360 | $47.77 | $73,956 | $6,163 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $106,150 | $51.03 | $78,397 | $6,533 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Illinois resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $82,140 buys in Chicago, IL
Prices in Chicago, IL are 3.6% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.12× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median radiologic technologist and technician's $62,694 take-home pay has the buying power of $60,519 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Radiologic Technologist and Technician jobs are about as common in Chicago, IL as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.84).
Best-paying cities for radiologic technologists and technicians, adjusted for cost of living
Chicago, IL ranks #14 of 16 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | $141,780 | $97,374 | $84,224 |
| 2 | Boston, MA | $104,590 | $77,400 | $71,490 |
| 3 | Phoenix, AZ | $94,820 | $73,374 | $71,019 |
| 4 | Los Angeles, CA | $108,030 | $77,608 | $68,337 |
| 5 | New York, NY | $102,730 | $76,080 | $67,589 |
| 6 | Houston, TX | $80,780 | $65,659 | $66,571 |
| 7 | Washington, DC | $97,390 | $72,034 | $66,157 |
| 8 | Dallas, TX | $83,140 | $67,319 | $65,301 |
| 14 | Chicago, IL | $82,140 | $62,694 | $60,519 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 16 metros →
About the job: radiologic technologists and technicians
Take x-rays and CAT scans or administer nonradioactive materials into patient’s bloodstream for diagnostic or research purposes.
- Typical education
- Associate's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +5.0% (faster than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a radiologic technologist and technician make in Chicago, IL?
The median radiologic technologist and technician salary in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $82,140 a year, or about $39.49 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $67,940 and $99,360.
What is a radiologic technologist and technician’s take-home pay in Chicago, IL?
On the median $82,140 salary, a single filer living in Illinois takes home about $62,694 a year ($5,225 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,921 in Illinois taxes in 2026.
Is Chicago, IL a good place to work as a radiologic technologist and technician?
Pay here is 3% above the national median of $80,110. Local prices are 3.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $60,519 would in a typical U.S. city. Chicago, IL ranks #14 of 16 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a radiologic technologist and technician afford rent in Chicago, IL?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Chicago, IL is $1,534 a month ($1,743 for two bedrooms) — 29% of a median radiologic technologist and technician’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Chicago, IL
- Dentists, General — $156,100
- Pharmacist — $140,880
- Nurse Practitioner — $131,740
- Physician Assistant — $127,940
- Physical Therapist — $105,720
- Registered Nurse — $100,490
- Dental Hygienist — $100,260
- Occupational Therapist — $99,860
- Speech-Language Pathologist — $98,490
- Physicians, All Other — $94,820
- Respiratory Therapist — $87,060
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse — $78,070