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Nuclear Medicine Technologists

Job Zone 3 - Medium preparation needed

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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.

Pay & job outlook

Median pay: $101,370/yr (U.S. national, May 2025)

$78,080$134,500

Typical range nationwide (10th–90th percentile). This is a population snapshot, not a personal prediction - actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience.

Job outlook: +3% projected growth, 2024–2034 — about as fast as average.

About 900 openings per year, on average, over the decade.

Typical entry-level education: Associate's degree.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS and Employment Projections.

Top skills
Critical ThinkingActive ListeningSpeakingWritingMonitoringReading ComprehensionSocial PerceptivenessScienceCoordinationService Orientation
Top knowledge areas
Customer and Personal ServiceBiologyEnglish LanguagePhysicsMedicine and DentistryChemistryComputers and ElectronicsMathematics
Core 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.

• Process cardiac function studies, using computer.

• Calculate, measure, and record radiation dosage or radiopharmaceuticals received, used, and disposed, using computer and following physician's prescription.

• Record and process results of procedures.

• Produce a computer-generated or film image for interpretation by a physician.

• Prepare stock radiopharmaceuticals, adhering to safety standards that minimize radiation exposure to workers and patients.

• Explain test procedures and safety precautions to patients and provide them with assistance during test procedures.

Frequently asked questions

What's the median pay for Nuclear Medicine Technologists?

The median pay for Nuclear Medicine Technologists is $101,370 per year, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

What's the job outlook for Nuclear Medicine Technologists?

Employment for Nuclear Medicine Technologists is projected to change +3% from 2024 to 2034 - about as fast as average.

What education is typically required for Nuclear Medicine Technologists?

Typical entry-level education: Associate's degree.

How many job openings are there each year for Nuclear Medicine Technologists?

About 900 openings per year, on average, over the decade.