Nuclear Technician Salary in Chicago, IL
Nuclear Technicians in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median $99,990 a year — 9% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $74,368 take-home, or $6,197 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median nuclear technician salary in Chicago, IL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$13,168
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,199
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,450
- Illinois income tax$4,805
- Take-home pay$74,368
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 Technician pay by experience in Chicago, IL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $65,750 | $31.61 | $51,900 | $4,325 |
| 25th percentile | $80,800 | $38.85 | $61,818 | $5,151 |
| Median (50th) | $99,990 | $48.07 | $74,368 | $6,197 |
| 75th percentile | $125,360 | $60.27 | $90,889 | $7,574 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $125,360 | $60.27 | $90,889 | $7,574 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Illinois resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $99,990 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 technician's $74,368 take-home pay has the buying power of $71,787 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Chicago, IL has 2.5× the national concentration of nuclear technician jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for nuclear technicians, adjusted for cost of living
Chicago, IL ranks #1 of 1 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chicago, IL | $99,990 | $74,368 | $71,787 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 1 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a nuclear technician make in Chicago, IL?
The median nuclear technician salary in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $99,990 a year, or about $48.07 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $80,800 and $125,360.
What is a nuclear technician’s take-home pay in Chicago, IL?
On the median $99,990 salary, a single filer living in Illinois takes home about $74,368 a year ($6,197 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $4,805 in Illinois taxes in 2026.
Is Chicago, IL a good place to work as a nuclear technician?
Pay here is 9% below the national median of $110,240. Local prices are 3.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $71,787 would in a typical U.S. city. Chicago, IL ranks #1 of 1 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a nuclear 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) — 25% of a median nuclear technician’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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