Nuclear Technician salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Nuclear Technicians in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median of $99,990 a year ($48.07 an hour), based on BLS data for 470 workers.
Pay ranges from $65,750 for the lowest-paid 10% to $125,360 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $110,240. Pay here is 9% lower than the Illinois statewide median of $110,390. There are 0.10 nuclear technicians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $100,150, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for nuclear technicians in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $65,750 | $31.61 |
| 25th percentile | $80,800 | $38.85 |
| Median | $99,990 | $48.07 |
| 75th percentile | $125,360 | $60.27 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $125,360 | $60.27 |
| Average (mean) | $100,150 | $48.15 |
Half of nuclear technicians earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $8,332.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,166.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,845.77 |
| Weekly | $1,922.88 |
| Hourly | $48.07 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Highest-paying states for nuclear technicians
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Florida | $135,550 |
| New York | $129,780 |
| Pennsylvania | $124,070 |
| Texas | $124,060 |
| Massachusetts | $113,390 |
| North Carolina | $110,430 |
| Illinois | $110,390 |
| Alabama | $110,240 |
| South Carolina | $108,490 |
| Washington | $108,200 |
See Nuclear Technician pay in every state or the Illinois statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical Technician | $62,100 | $29.86 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $60,380 | $29.03 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $61,420 | $29.53 |
| Biological Technician | $57,700 | $27.74 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $49,630 | $23.86 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $112,790 | $54.23 |
| Food Science Technician | $66,630 | $32.04 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $64,890 | $31.20 |
| Agricultural Technician | $52,310 | $25.15 |
| Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians | $64,420 | $30.97 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $85,390 | $41.05 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $83,240 | $40.02 |
| School Psychologist | $90,620 | $43.57 |
| Chemist | $90,920 | $43.71 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 19-4051. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a nuclear technician make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median salary for nuclear technicians in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $99,990 a year, or $48.07 an hour. Pay ranges from $65,750 for the lowest-paid 10% to $125,360 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid nuclear technicians make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The top 10% of nuclear technicians in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn at least $125,360 a year. The top 25% earn $125,360 or more.
What is the starting pay for nuclear technicians in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $65,750 a year, and a quarter of nuclear technicians earn $80,800 or less.
How many nuclear technicians work in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
About 470 nuclear technicians are employed in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.