Radiologic Technologist Salary in Chicago, IL
Radiologic Technologists in Chicago, IL earn a median of $54,000/year, ranging from $41,580 (25th percentile) to $86,400 (90th percentile). After Illinois state taxes (4.95%) and cost-of-living adjustments (COL index 107), this is equivalent to $50,467 in purchasing power vs the US average.
On the ground in Chicago, IL
Imaging departments hiring rad techs include Northwestern Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, and University of Chicago Medical Center. Cost of living is reasonable compared to coastal metros, with Logan Square, Pilsen, or further into Oak Park usually offering one-bedrooms in the $1,700 to $2,100 range. Hospital shifts often run early or overnight, so commute timing in this metro matters more than peak rush figures suggest. Off-peak driving and CTA Blue Line and Metra carry most office commuters are forgiving for techs working 5am or 11pm starts. Illinois charges a flat 4.95% income tax and Cook County property taxes are notably steep.
1Salary Distribution in Chicago, IL
2Estimated Take-Home & Purchasing Power
* Estimates only. Does not include federal income tax, 401k, health insurance, or local taxes. Use the Salary Calculator for a detailed breakdown.
How Does Chicago, IL Compare?
| City | Median | COL Index | COL-Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago, IL (current) | $54,000 | 107 | $50,467 |
| San Francisco, CA | $74,000 | 186 | $39,785 |
| New York, NY | $71,000 | 187 | $37,968 |
| Seattle, WA | $71,000 | 162 | $43,827 |
| Boston, MA | $65,000 | 162 | $40,123 |
| Austin, TX | $59,000 | 124 | $47,581 |
4Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Radiologic Technologist salary in Chicago, IL?
The median Radiologic Technologist salary in Chicago, IL is $54,000 per year as of 2026 BLS OEWS data. The 25th percentile is $41,580 and the 90th percentile is $86,400.
Is Chicago, IL a good place to work as a Radiologic Technologist?
Chicago, IL has a cost of living index of 107 (US average = 100). After adjusting for cost of living, a $54,000 Radiologic Technologist salary in Chicago, IL is equivalent to $50,467 in purchasing power compared to the US average.
What is the cost of living adjustment for Chicago, IL?
Chicago, IL has a cost of living index of 107, meaning it is 7% more expensive than the US average. The state income tax rate in Illinois is approximately 4.95%.
What is the Radiologic Technologist salary range in Chicago, IL?
In Chicago, IL, Radiologic Technologists earn between $41,580 (25th percentile) and $86,400 (90th percentile), with a median of $54,000 per year.
How many Radiologic Technologist jobs are there in Chicago, IL?
According to BLS OEWS data, there are approximately 87,500 Radiologic Technologist positions in the Chicago, IL metropolitan area.
What do Radiologic Technologists earn in Chicago, IL?
Based on BLS OEWS 2026 data, Radiologic Technologists in Chicago, IL earn a median annual wage of $54,000. The middle 50% earn between $41,580 and $69,120. The top 10% earn more than $86,400. There are approximately 87,500 Radiologic Technologists employed in the Chicago, IL metro area, with annual job growth estimated at 3.1%.
Is Chicago, IL a good place for a Radiologic Technologist?
Chicago, IL has a cost of living index of 107 (US average = 100), making it 7% more expensive than the national average. After adjusting for cost of living, a Radiologic Technologist in Chicago, IL earning $54,000has the equivalent purchasing power of $50,467 relative to the US median. Illinois has a state income tax rate of approximately 4.95%.
What is the cost of living adjustment for Chicago, IL?
Chicago, IL's cost of living index is 107, based on composite data including housing, food, transportation, healthcare, and utilities. This means that $54,000 in Chicago, ILhas the same purchasing power as $50,467 in a city at exactly the US average cost of living. Housing is typically the largest driver of cost of living differences between metros.
Compare Chicago, IL with Another City
See a detailed side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, and purchasing power.
5Should You Work as a Radiologic Technologist in Chicago, IL?
The headline median of $54,000 is only part of the picture. Chicago, IL's cost of living index is 107 (US average = 100), meaning a dollar here buys roughly 93¢ of what it buys in an average US city. The $54,000 salary effectively purchases $50,467 worth of goods and services at national-average prices.
Housing is the single biggest driver of cost-of-living differences between metros. In Chicago, IL, housing costs fall closer to the national average of 25–30% of gross income, leaving more room in the budget for savings, transportation, and discretionary spending. For a $54,000 salary, that translates to roughly $15,120/year on housing alone.
State tax plays a meaningful but smaller role. Illinois levies a state income tax of approximately 4.95%, which reduces take-home by roughly $2,673 per year on this salary. States with zero income tax (Texas, Florida, Washington, Tennessee, Nevada) offer a structural advantage, but often offset it with higher sales tax or property tax. After state tax and approximate federal FICA (~7.6%), the estimated take-home is $47,426. This excludes federal income tax, which varies by filing status and deductions.
For comparison, here are nearby alternatives: San Francisco, CA ($74,000 median, COL 186); New York, NY ($71,000 median, COL 187); Seattle, WA ($71,000 median, COL 162). If you're optimizing for purchasing power, compare the COL-adjusted column in the table above and pick the highest number. If you're optimizing for career progression, weight total employment and yearly growth in the role — larger markets offer more lateral moves and promotion velocity, even when nominal pay is lower.
The 3.1% year-over-year growth rate for Radiologic Technologists in Chicago, IL is a leading indicator of market health. Healthy growth at a steady pace — enough to support mobility but not so fast that compensation is racing ahead of credentials. For side-by-side comparisons, try the full city ranking for Radiologic Technologists or the Illinois state overview.
Data source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) Program. All figures are approximate annual estimates based on the most recent available BLS data. Actual salaries may vary based on experience, education, employer size, and specific role. Cost-of-living data represents composite indices from publicly available metropolitan area data.