Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary in Chicago, IL
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median $108,860 a year — 7% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $80,169 take-home, or $6,681 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median nuclear medicine technologist salary in Chicago, IL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$15,119
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,749
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,578
- Illinois income tax$5,244
- Take-home pay$80,169
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.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist pay by experience in Chicago, IL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $87,760 | $42.19 | $66,370 | $5,531 |
| 25th percentile | $100,080 | $48.12 | $74,427 | $6,202 |
| Median (50th) | $108,860 | $52.34 | $80,169 | $6,681 |
| 75th percentile | $119,400 | $57.40 | $87,062 | $7,255 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $123,560 | $59.40 | $89,748 | $7,479 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Illinois resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $108,860 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 nuclear medicine technologist's $80,169 take-home pay has the buying power of $77,387 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist jobs are about as common in Chicago, IL as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.96).
Best-paying cities for nuclear medicine technologists, adjusted for cost of living
Chicago, IL ranks #3 of 3 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Los Angeles, CA | $156,410 | $105,822 | $93,181 |
| 2 | New York, NY | $125,340 | $90,581 | $80,471 |
| 3 | Chicago, IL | $108,860 | $80,169 | $77,387 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 3 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a nuclear medicine technologist make in Chicago, IL?
The median nuclear medicine technologist salary in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $108,860 a year, or about $52.34 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $100,080 and $119,400.
What is a nuclear medicine technologist’s take-home pay in Chicago, IL?
On the median $108,860 salary, a single filer living in Illinois takes home about $80,169 a year ($6,681 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $5,244 in Illinois taxes in 2026.
Is Chicago, IL a good place to work as a nuclear medicine technologist?
Pay here is 7% above the national median of $101,370. Local prices are 3.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $77,387 would in a typical U.S. city. Chicago, IL ranks #3 of 3 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a nuclear medicine technologist 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) — 23% of a median nuclear medicine technologist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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