Nuclear Medicine Technologist

Salary & Job Openings

Median Salary (Yearly Pay)

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Future Jobs

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How Will Nuclear Medicine Technologist Jobs Grow by 2034?

Projected % Growth

Rapid growth
(10% or higher)

Much faster than average
(7% - 10%)

Faster than average
(5% - 7%)

About as fast as average
(3% - 5%)

Slower than average
(0% - 3%)

Decreasing

Average of all U.S. jobs (5.3%)

Nuclear Medicine Technologist jobs (3.00%)

Source: https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables/occupational-projections-and-characteristics.htm

Steps to Get There: Becoming a Nuclear Medicine Technologist

High School Subjects to Study

Career Pathway Listen to this section

Nuclear medicine technology programs range in length from 1 to 4 years and lead to a certificate, an associate's degree, or a bachelor's degree. Many employers and an increasing number of states require certification or licensure. Aspiring nuclear medicine technologists should check the requirements of the state in which they plan to work.

Education- Typical Degree Needed After High School Listen to this section

Typical degree for an entry-level position: Associate's degree ?

Completion of a nuclear medicine technology program takes 1 to 4 years and leads to a certificate, an associate's degree, or a bachelor's degree. Generally, certificate programs are offered in hospitals, associate's degree programs in community colleges, and bachelor's degree programs in 4-year colleges and universities. Courses cover the physical sciences, biological effects of radiation exposure, radiation protection and procedures, the use of radiopharmaceuticals, imaging techniques, and computer applications.

One-year certificate programs are for health professionals who already possess an associate's degree—especially radiologic technologists and diagnostic medical sonographers—but who wish to specialize in nuclear medicine. The programs also attract medical technologists, registered nurses, and others who wish to change fields or specialize.

The Joint Review Committee on Education Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology accredits most formal training programs in nuclear medicine technology. In 2006, there were about 100 accredited programs in the continental United States and Puerto Rico.

Try it Out with an Activity or Project

STEM Activities

STEM activities are fun hands-on explorations that usually take from 10 minutes to one hour and use readily available household or classroom materials while introducing you to STEM concepts common in this career.

We don't have any activities for this career. Check out the Project Ideas below.

Science Project Ideas

Project Ideas are in-depth STEM explorations that have a strong focus on controlling variables, taking accurate measurements, and analyzing data suitable for investigating the scientific method or the engineering design process.

 

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Watching Nuclear Particles: See Background Radiation Zoom Through A Cloud Chamber

Short (2-5 days) 

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Developing Images with X-rays

Long (2-4 weeks) 

 

2 Science Project Idea Results

On the Job

Role Models

In this video, Brandi Huber, a nuclear medicine technologist, describes the variety of imaging exams, equipment, and cutting-edge research that goes on in the field of nuclear medicine.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zoGGxBFHYKY

Nature of the Work

Diagnostic imaging embraces several procedures that aid in diagnosing ailments, the most familiar being the X-ray. In nuclear medicine, radionuclides—unstable atoms that emit radiation spontaneously—are used to diagnose and treat disease. Radionuclides are purified and compounded to form radiopharmaceuticals. Nuclear medicine technologists administer radiopharmaceuticals to patients and then monitor the characteristics and functions of tissues or organs in which the drugs localize. Abnormal areas show higher-than-expected or lower-than-expected concentrations of radioactivity. Nuclear medicine differs from other diagnostic imaging technologies because it determines the presence of disease on the basis of metabolic changes rather than changes in organ structure.

Nuclear medicine technologists operate cameras that detect and map the radioactive drug in a patient's body to create diagnostic images. After explaining test procedures to patients, technologists prepare a dosage of the radiopharmaceutical and administer it by mouth, injection, inhalation, or other means. They position patients and start a gamma scintillation camera, or "scanner," which creates images of the distribution of a radiopharmaceutical as it localizes in, and emits signals from, the patient's body. The images are produced on a computer screen or on film for a physician to interpret.

When preparing radiopharmaceuticals, technologists adhere to safety standards that keep the radiation exposure as low as possible to workers and patients. Technologists keep patient records and document the amount and type of radionuclides that they receive, use, and discard.

Work Environment

Physical stamina is important because nuclear medicine technologists are on their feet much of the day and may have to lift or turn disabled patients. In addition, technologists must operate complicated equipment that requires mechanical ability and manual dexterity.

Although the potential for radiation exposure exists in this field, it is minimized by the use of shielded syringes, gloves, and other protective devices and by adherence to strict radiation safety guidelines. The amount of radiation in a nuclear medicine procedure is comparable to that received during a diagnostic X-ray procedure. Technologists also wear badges that measure radiation levels. Because of safety programs, badge measurements rarely exceed established safety levels.

Nuclear medicine technologists generally work a 40-hour week, perhaps including evening or weekend hours, in departments that operate on an extended schedule. Opportunities for part-time and shift work also are available. In addition, technologists in hospitals may have on-call duty on a rotational basis, and those employed by mobile imaging services may be required to travel to several locations.

More Information

Ask Questions

Do you have a specific question about a career as a Nuclear Medicine Technologist that isn't answered on this page? Post your question on the Science Buddies Ask an Expert Forum.

Additional Resources

• American Society of Radiologic Technologists: https://www.asrt.org/
• American Registry of Radiologic Technologists: https://www.arrt.org/
• Society of Nuclear Medicine & Molecular Imaging: https://www.snmmi.org/
• Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology: https://www.jrcnmt.org/
• Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board: https://www.nmtcb.org/

Sources

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics BLS (2024). Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH), 2024 Edition, Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved August 25, 2025.
• National Center for O*NET Development O*Net Online (2024). National Center for O*Net Development. Retrieved August 25, 2025
• Path2Careers. (2014, July 16). Nuclear Medicine Technologist. Retrieved January 26, 2017.
• witechcolleges.com. (2008, January 23). Nuclear Medicine Technology - Wisconsin Technical Colleges. Retrieved November 28, 2009.
• LLU Health. (2014, February 04). Career Profile - Nuclear Medicine . Retrieved January 26, 2017.