Nuclear Technician salary in Illinois
Nuclear Technicians in Illinois earn a median of $110,390 a year ($53.07 an hour), based on BLS data for 780 workers.
Pay ranges from $65,750 for the lowest-paid 10% to $125,360 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $110,240. Illinois ranks 7th of 14 states for nuclear technicians pay. There are 0.13 nuclear technicians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 3.1× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $105,680, close to the median.
Pay range for nuclear technicians in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $65,750 | $31.61 |
| 25th percentile | $80,800 | $38.85 |
| Median | $110,390 | $53.07 |
| 75th percentile | $124,470 | $59.84 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $125,360 | $60.27 |
| Average (mean) | $105,680 | $50.81 |
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 | $9,199.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,599.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,245.77 |
| Weekly | $2,122.88 |
| Hourly | $53.07 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Nuclear Technician salary in cities in Illinois
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $99,990 | 470 |
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 |
Related jobs in Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical Technician | $61,890 | $29.76 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $59,930 | $28.81 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $52,790 | $25.38 |
| Biological Technician | $55,790 | $26.82 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $59,410 | $28.56 |
| Agricultural Technician | $46,410 | $22.31 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $124,790 | $60.00 |
| Food Science Technician | $60,820 | $29.24 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $64,890 | $31.20 |
| Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians | $53,280 | $25.62 |
| Hydrologic Technician | $52,870 | $25.42 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $83,750 | $40.27 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $82,330 | $39.58 |
| School Psychologist | $84,690 | $40.72 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Illinois
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 Illinois?
The median salary for nuclear technicians in Illinois is $110,390 a year, or $53.07 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 Illinois?
The top 10% of nuclear technicians in Illinois earn at least $125,360 a year. The top 25% earn $124,470 or more.
What is the starting pay for nuclear technicians in Illinois?
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 Illinois?
About 780 nuclear technicians are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.