Nuclear Technicians Salary in Chicago, IL-IN

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN

Median annual salary $78,780 -24.4% vs national
Median hourly $37.87
10th percentile $62,930
90th percentile $115,460
Employed locally 480
National median $104,240

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Nuclear Technicians
in
Chicago, IL-IN
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $62,930
    25th
    $77,330
    50th (median)
    $78,780
    75th
    $115,350
    90th
    $115,460

    Chicago economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $88,850 2023 • Census ACS
    Nuclear Technicians salary vs area income 89% Median Nuclear Technicians salary is 11% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Nuclear Technicians

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Birmingham, AL $126,930
    Richmond, VA $122,210
    New York $121,460
    Florida $118,340
    Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $117,630
    Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $113,390

    Nearby metros — Nuclear Technicians salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $117,630
    Illinois $102,810
    Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC $96,730
    Knoxville, TN $78,850

    Related occupations in Chicago, IL-IN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists $78,560
    Clinical and Counseling Psychologists $98,240
    Chemists $100,720
    School Psychologists $80,600
    Occupational Health and Safety Specialists $98,780
    Physicists $131,260

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Nuclear Technicians make per hour in Chicago?

    The median hourly wage for Nuclear Technicians in Chicago, IL-IN is $37.87, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $60.27 or more per hour.

    Is Chicago above or below average for Nuclear Technicians salaries?

    The median Nuclear Technicians salary in Chicago, IL-IN is 24.4% below the national median of $104,240. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Nuclear Technicians in Chicago?

    Entry-level Nuclear Technicians (10th percentile) earn around $62,930 per year in Chicago, IL-IN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $77,330.