The median pay for Nuclear Medicine Technologists is $101,370 a year ($48.74/hr), according to BLS OEWS, May 2025. Employment is projected to grow 4.4% through 2035, with about 800 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: Associate's degree.
- SOC 29-2033
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Nuclear Medicine Technologist in four numbers
- Median pay
- $101,370a year, or $48.74/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $78KTop 10% $135K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +4.4%About as fast as averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+4.4%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +4.4% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 80017,400 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 202517.4K
- Projected 203518.2K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 17.4K Projected 2035 18.2K - Typical education
- Associate'sneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Certificate4.2%
- Some college1.8%
- Associate's62.6%
- Bachelor's21.5%
- Post-bacc certificate5.8%
- Professional degree4.1%
Highest education held by nuclear medicine technologists Segment Value Certificate 4.2% Some college 1.8% Associate's 62.6% Bachelor's 21.5% Post-bacc certificate 5.8% Professional degree 4.1%
Also advertised as: Certified Nuclear Medicine Technologist (CNMT), Nuclear Cardiology Technologist, Nuclear Medicine PET-CT Technologist (Nuclear Medicine Positron Emission Tomography - Computed Tomography Technologist), Nuclear Medicine Technologist (NMT), Radiation Safety Officer, Registered Nuclear Medicine Technologist.
Pay
How much do Nuclear Medicine Technologists make?
Every nuclear medicine technologist in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$101,370
Middle half earn $86,720 to $117,120
- 10th
- $78,080
- 25th
- $86,720
- 75th
- $117,120
- 90th
- $134,500
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $78,080 |
| 25th | $86,720 |
| Median | $101,370 |
| 75th | $117,120 |
| 90th | $134,500 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $101,370
- Median hourly wage
- $48.74/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $105,160
- People employed
- 17,080
Versus all US occupations
At $101,370, Nuclear Medicine Technologists earn 99% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $50,390 a year.
Versus healthcare practitioners and technical occupations
The median is typical for the Healthcare Practitioners and Technical group, where the middle occupation pays $102,760.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $134,500 or more while the bottom 10% earn $78,080, a gap of 1.7×. That is a narrow spread, so experience and employer move pay less than in most occupations.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 73% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
California pays the most at $162,380, and still leads at $146,658 once local prices are taken into account.
Pay by state
Which states pay Nuclear Medicine Technologists the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1California | $162,380 | $146,658 | 1,500 |
| 2Washington | $126,200 | $117,930 | 320 |
| 3Hawaii | $125,650 | $114,278 | 30 |
| 4New Jersey | $124,280 | $114,223 | 540 |
| 5Oregon | $122,100 | $118,130 | 180 |
| 6New York | $118,650 | $109,942 | 890 |
| 7Massachusetts | $118,250 | $111,813 | 380 |
| 8Connecticut | $117,150 | $113,068 | 170 |
| 9Colorado | $116,990 | $113,525 | 200 |
| 10District of Columbia | $116,630 | $106,123 | 30 |
Job outlook
Is Nuclear Medicine Technologist a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
About as fast as average. +4.4% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Nuclear Medicine Technologists | +4.4% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
About as fast as average
BLS projects employment of Nuclear Medicine Technologists to change 4.4% over 2025–2035, against 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 800 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 800 openings are projected each year, 4.6% of the 17,400 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Among other medical uses, nuclear imaging is common in detecting, staging, and evaluating treatment for different types of cancers. Nuclear medicine technologists will continue to be needed to administer these tests due to the growing number of people entering older age groups, in which cancer is more prevalent.
Getting in
How to become a Nuclear Medicine Technologist
Nuclear medicine technologists typically need an associate’s degree from an accredited nuclear medicine technology program. Formal education programs in nuclear medicine technology or a related healthcare field lead to a certificate, an associate’s degree, or a bachelor’s degree. Most nuclear medicine technologists become certified, and some must be licensed.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
Associate's degree
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
None
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Some preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as nuclear medicine technologists.
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree62.6%
- Bachelor's Degree21.5%
- Post-Baccalaureate Certificate5.8%
- Post-Secondary Certificate4.2%
- First Professional Degree4.1%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree | 62.6% |
| Bachelor's Degree | 21.5% |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | 5.8% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 4.2% |
| First Professional Degree | 4.1% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Nuclear Medicine Technologist do?
Prepare, administer, and measure radioactive isotopes in therapeutic, diagnostic, and tracer studies using a variety of radioisotope equipment. Prepare stock solutions of radioactive materials and calculate doses to be administered by radiologists. Subject patients to radiation. Execute blood volume, red cell survival, and fat absorption studies following standard laboratory techniques.
Nuclear medicine technologists prepare radioactive drugs and administer them to patients for imaging or treatment. They provide technical support to physicians or others who diagnose, care for, and treat patients and to researchers who investigate uses of radioactive drugs. They also may act as emergency responders in the event of a nuclear disaster.
Day-to-day tasks
- Administer radiopharmaceuticals or radiation intravenously to detect or treat diseases, using radioisotope equipment, under direction of a physician.
- Detect and map radiopharmaceuticals in patients' bodies, using a camera to produce photographic or computer images.
- Produce a computer-generated or film image for interpretation by a physician.
- Explain test procedures and safety precautions to patients and provide them with assistance during test procedures.
- Dispose of radioactive materials and store radiopharmaceuticals, following radiation safety procedures.
- Maintain and calibrate radioisotope and laboratory equipment.
- Perform quality control checks on laboratory equipment or cameras.
- Calculate, measure, and record radiation dosage or radiopharmaceuticals received, used, and disposed, using computer and following physician's prescription.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Most nuclear medicine technologists work full time. Some nuclear medicine technologists work irregular hours, such as evenings or weekends. They also may be on call, especially if they work in hospitals.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather
NeverEvery dayAlmost never works outdoors.
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantConstant contact with other people.
Face-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayFace-to-face discussions every day.
Dealing with the public
Not importantExtremely importantDealing with customers or the public is very important.
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayMeeting strict deadlines at least weekly.
Conflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely seriousMistakes carry very serious consequences.
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lotA lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first.
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Where nuclear medicine technologists work
Share of jobs by employer type
- Hospitals; state, local, and private71%
- Offices of physicians14%
- Medical and diagnostic laboratories8%
- Outpatient care centers3%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Hospitals; state, local, and private | 71% |
| Offices of physicians | 14% |
| Medical and diagnostic laboratories | 8% |
| Outpatient care centers | 3% |
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Critical Thinking3.9
- Active Listening3.8
- Speaking3.8
- Reading Comprehension3.5
- Writing3.5
- Monitoring3.5
- Science3.3
- Mathematics3.1
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Critical Thinking | 3.9 |
| Active Listening | 3.8 |
| Speaking | 3.8 |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.5 |
| Writing | 3.5 |
| Monitoring | 3.5 |
| Science | 3.3 |
| Mathematics | 3.1 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Social Perceptiveness3.4
- Coordination3.3
- Service Orientation3.3
- Judgment and Decision Making3.3
- Complex Problem Solving3.1
- Operations Monitoring3.1
- Operation and Control3.0
- Time Management3.0
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.4 |
| Coordination | 3.3 |
| Service Orientation | 3.3 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.3 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.1 |
| Operations Monitoring | 3.1 |
| Operation and Control | 3.0 |
| Time Management | 3.0 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Medical software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a Nuclear Medicine Technologist?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Nuclear Medicine Technologist |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 6 |
| Investigative | 6 |
| Artistic | 1 |
| Social | 3 |
| Enterprising | 1 |
| Conventional | 5 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors, combined with investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data.
- Realistic6.0
- Investigative5.6
- Conventional5.2
- Social3.1
- Enterprising1.3
- Artistic1.0
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Nuclear Medicine Technologist
O*NET related occupations
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
Cardiovascular Technologist and Technician
$74,310median a year
Most earn $39K to $121K
+3.7%Associate's - Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist
$62,930median a year
Most earn $39K to $101K
+2.7%Bachelor's - Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
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More healthcare practitioners and technical careers
Median annual pay, with nuclear medicine technologists highlighted
- Anesthesiologist$391,490
- Physician Assistant$135,880
- Nurse Practitioner$132,300
- Physical Therapist$102,760
- Nuclear Medicine Technologist$101,370
- Dental Hygienist$98,100
- Diagnostic Medical Sonographer$96,590
- Radiologic Technologist and Technician$80,110
- Surgical Technologist$64,650
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Anesthesiologist | $391,490 |
| Physician Assistant | $135,880 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $132,300 |
| Physical Therapist | $102,760 |
| Nuclear Medicine Technologist | $101,370 |
| Dental Hygienist | $98,100 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $96,590 |
| Radiologic Technologist and Technician | $80,110 |
| Surgical Technologist | $64,650 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Nuclear Medicine Technologist appears on
Questions
Nuclear Medicine Technologist: frequently asked questions
How much do Nuclear Medicine Technologists make?
Nuclear Medicine Technologists earn a median of $101,370 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). That is 99% above the $50,980 median for all US occupations. That works out at $48.74/hr. The middle half earn between $86,720 and $117,120. The top 10% earn $134,500 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Nuclear Medicine Technologist?
Usually a two-year degree rather than a four-year one. BLS lists an associate's degree as the typical entry-level education for Nuclear Medicine Technologists. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 62.6% hold associate's degree or other 2-year degree.
Is Nuclear Medicine Technologist a growing career?
It is stable rather than fast-growing: employment is projected to change 4.4% over 2025–2035, about the same as the 3.5% projected across all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 800 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Nuclear Medicine Technologist do?
Nuclear medicine technologists prepare radioactive drugs and administer them to patients for imaging or treatment. A core O*NET task: administer radiopharmaceuticals or radiation intravenously to detect or treat diseases, using radioisotope equipment, under direction of a physician. Employers most often ask for Electronic mail software, Medical software, Office suite software.
Which states pay Nuclear Medicine Technologists the most?
The highest state medians for Nuclear Medicine Technologists are California ($162,380), Washington ($126,200), Hawaii ($125,650) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits a Nuclear Medicine Technologist?
O*NET scores Nuclear Medicine Technologists highest on the Realistic, Investigative and Conventional interest areas, so the work mixes hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors with investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping that lines up most closely with ISTJ personalities. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.