Radiologic Technologist and Technician Salary in Palatine, IL: $79,779 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time radiologic technologist and technician in Palatine, IL earns a median $79,779/year (≈ $38.36/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2034). Once you factor in Palatine's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $82,162 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% above the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, the projected median annual salary for radiologic technologists and technicians in Palatine, Illinois, is $79,779, which reflects a competitive compensation framework among local professionals, especially when considering the area's level-1 trauma center designation. With a salary range stretching from $54,070 at the 10th percentile to $117,168 at the 90th percentile, these figures represent estimates based on 2025 BLS data, which take into account regional cost adjustments. While this local median falls short of the national figure of $84,348, it still embodies the strong demand for skilled technologists and technicians in Palatine’s healthcare landscape, driven by various employer types including hospital imaging departments and outpatient centers.
About the Palatine Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $54,070 | $26.00 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62,931 | $30.26 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $79,779 | $38.36 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $98,093 | $47.16 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $117,168 | $56.33 |
Median Salary Position
5.42% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Palatine
In Palatine, IL, the radiologic technologist and technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $63,098 (2026 est.). At $79,779, the local median is 5.42% below the national median of $84,348.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Palatine: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Palatine Radiologic Technologist and Technician Pay Compares
Palatine median: $79,779/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Palatine Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $79,620 | +0.20% more |
| National Average | $84,348 | -5.42% less |
Radiologic Technologist and Technicians in Palatine, IL earn a median of $79,779 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.42% lower than the national median of $84,348 and 0.20% above the Illinois state average of $79,620.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Palatine has a cost of living 2.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Palatine, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A radiologic technologist and technician earning $79,779 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $82,162 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$57,233
2025 BLS Actual
$75,771
2026 Current Est.
$79,779
2019–2027 Growth
+46.8%
Salary Trajectory for Radiologic Technologists and Technicians in Palatine (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.29% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,233 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,547 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,046 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,612 | Actual |
| 2023 | $69,434 | Actual |
| 2024 | $70,052 | Actual |
| 2025 | $75,771 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79,779 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $84,000 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Palatine metropolitan area, the median radiologic technologist and technician salary grew 32.4% from $57,233 (2019) to $75,771 (2025). At a 5.29% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $84,000 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,767 (46.77%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Palatine metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.29% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $54,070 – $62,931 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $62,931 – $79,779 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $79,779 – $98,093 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $98,093 – $117,168 |
RT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual radiologic technologist and technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Radiologic Technologist and Technician Job Market in Palatine
The job market for radiologic technologists and technicians in Palatine is relatively firm, with approximately 16 professionals currently employed in the area. The cost of living index for Palatine stands at 97.1, indicating a somewhat favorable purchasing power for those in the field. Employers that typically offer the highest salaries include hospital imaging departments, which often provide additional incentives such as shift differentials and call coverage. The variance in pay levels can be primarily attributed to factors like modality cross-training in areas like CT and MRI, which yields higher pay scales, as well as potential premiums for travel positions or specific shift assignments. To maximize earnings, professionals entering or currently in the workforce should consider cross-training in multiple modalities and seeking roles with higher responsibilities, such as lead or supervisory positions, which can significantly impact overall compensation.
More salary data for Palatine, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jordan Lee, RT(R), RT(TM)
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has over 10 years of experience in radiologic technology. They specialize in mammography and work in an outpatient imaging center.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $75,771 for radiologic technologists and techniciansin the Palatine metropolitan area. A 5.29% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Palatine is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.29%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for radiologic technologist and technicians (SOC 29-2034).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, RT(R), RT(TM), a licensed radiologic technologist and technician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov