Nuclear Medicine Technologists
Career, Salary and Education Information
What They Do: Nuclear medicine technologists prepare radioactive drugs and administer them to patients for imaging or therapeutic purposes.
Work Environment: Most nuclear medicine technologists work in hospitals. Some work in physicians' offices, diagnostic laboratories, or imaging clinics. Most nuclear medicine technologists work full time.
How to Become One: 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.
Salary: The median annual wage for nuclear medicine technologists is $78,760.
Job Outlook: Employment of nuclear medicine technologists is projected to grow 2 percent over the next ten years, slower than the average for all occupations.
Related Careers: Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of nuclear medicine technologists with similar occupations.
Following is everything you need to know about a career as a nuclear medicine technologist with lots of details. As a first step, take a look at some of the following jobs, which are real jobs with real employers. You will be able to see the very real job career requirements for employers who are actively hiring. The link will open in a new tab so that you can come back to this page to continue reading about the career:
Top 3 Nuclear Medicine Technologist Jobs
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Travel Nuclear Medicine Technologist - $2,302 per week
- Aureus Medical Group - Imaging
- Torrance, CA
Nuclear Medicine Technologist * Discipline: Allied Health Professional * Start Date: ASAP * Duration: 19 weeks * 40 hours per week * Shift: 8 hours * Employment Type: Travel Estimated payment ...
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Travel Nuclear Medicine Technologist - $2,704 per week
- Host Healthcare
- Longmont, CO
Nuclear Medicine Technologist * Discipline: Allied Health Professional * Start Date: 12/16/2024 * Duration: 13 weeks * 40 hours per week * Shift: 8 hours, days * Employment Type: Travel Host Health ...
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Travel Nuclear Medicine Technologist - $2,604 per week
- Health Advocates Network-Allied
- Carlsbad, NM
Nuclear Medicine Technologist * Discipline: Allied Health Professional * Start Date: ASAP * Duration: 13 weeks * 36 hours per week * Shift: 12 hours * Employment Type: Travel Nuclear Medicine ...
What Nuclear Medicine Technologists Do[About this section] [To Top]
Nuclear medicine technologists prepare radioactive drugs and administer them to patients for imaging or therapeutic purposes. They provide technical support to physicians or other professional nuclear medicine personnel in the diagnosis, care, and treatment of patients and for research and investigation into the uses of radioactive drugs. They also may act as emergency responders in the event of a nuclear disaster.
Duties of Nuclear Medicine Technologists
Nuclear medicine technologists typically do the following:
- Explain medical procedures to the patient and answer questions
- Follow safety procedures to protect themselves and the patient from unnecessary radiation exposure
- Prepare radioactive drugs and administer them to the patient
- Monitor the patient to check for unusual reactions to the drugs
- Operate imaging equipment
- Keep detailed records of procedures
- Follow radiation disposal and safety procedures
Radioactive drugs, known as radiopharmaceuticals, give off radiation, allowing special scanners to monitor tissue and organ functions. Abnormal areas show higher-than-expected or lower-than-expected concentrations of radioactivity. Physicians and surgeons then interpret the images to help diagnose the patient's condition. For example, tumors can be seen in organs during a scan because of their concentration of the radioactive drugs.
Radiopharmaceuticals can also be used to deliver concentrated doses of radiation to specific areas, such as tumors, for treatment of conditions that may not allow other forms of treatment. Various forms of internal radiation treatments also may be good alternatives to invasive surgical procedures.
In the event of a radioactive incident or nuclear disaster, some nuclear medicine technologists may be involved in emergency response efforts. These workers' experience with radiation detection and monitoring equipment could be useful during the response to events that involve radiological materials.
After graduation from an accredited program, a technologist can choose to earn a certification in positron emission tomography (PET) or nuclear cardiology. PET uses a machine that creates a three-dimensional image of a part of the body, such as the brain. Nuclear cardiology uses radioactive drugs to obtain images of the heart. Patients may exercise during the imaging process while the technologist creates images of the heart and blood flow.
Some nuclear medicine technologists work in support of researchers in the development of new nuclear medicine applications in imagery or therapy.
Work Environment for Nuclear Medicine Technologists[About this section] [To Top]
Nuclear medicine technologists hold about 18,900 jobs. The largest employers of nuclear medicine technologists are as follows:
| Hospitals; state, local, and private | 68% |
| Offices of physicians | 13% |
| Medical and diagnostic laboratories | 6% |
| Outpatient care centers | 3% |
Technologists are on their feet for long periods and may need to lift or turn patients who are disabled.
Injuries and Illnesses for Nuclear Medicine Technologists
Although radiation hazards exist in this occupation, they are minimized by the use of gloves and other shielding devices. Nuclear medicine technologists wear badges that measure radiation levels in the radiation area. Instruments monitor their radiation exposure and detailed records are kept on how much radiation they get over their lifetime. When preparing radioactive drugs, technologists use safety procedures to minimize radiation exposure to patients, other healthcare workers, and themselves.
Like other healthcare workers, nuclear medicine technologists may be exposed to infectious diseases.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Work Schedules
Most nuclear medicine technologists work full time. Some nuclear medicine technologists work evenings, weekends, or nights.
How to Become a Nuclear Medicine Technologist[About this section] [To Top]
Get the education you need: Find schools for Nuclear Medicine Technologists near you!
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.
Education for Nuclear Medicine Technologists
Nuclear medicine technologists typically need an associate's degree in nuclear medicine technology. Bachelor's degrees are also common. Some technologists become qualified by completing an associate's or a bachelor's degree program in a related health field, such as radiologic technology or nursing, and then completing a 12-month certificate program in nuclear medicine technology.
Nuclear medicine technology programs often include courses in human anatomy and physiology, physics, chemistry, radioactive drugs, and computer science. In addition, these programs include clinical experience—practice under the supervision of a certified nuclear medicine technologist and a physician or surgeon who specializes in nuclear medicine.
The Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology accredits nuclear medicine programs. Graduating from an accredited program may be required for licensure or by an employer.
High school students who are interested in nuclear medicine technology should take courses in math and science, such as biology, chemistry, anatomy, and physics.
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations for Nuclear Medicine Technologists
Most nuclear medicine technologists become certified. Although certification is not required for a license, it fulfills most of the requirements for state licensure. Licensing requirements vary by state. For specific requirements, contact the state's health board.
Some employers require certification, regardless of state regulations. Certification usually involves graduating from an accredited nuclear medicine technology program. Certification is available from the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) and the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB).
In addition to receiving general certification, technologists can earn specialty certifications that show their proficiency in specific procedures or on certain equipment. A technologist can earn certification in positron emission tomography (PET), nuclear cardiology (NCT), or computed tomography (CT). The NMTCB offers NCT, PET, and CT certification exams.
Important Qualities for Nuclear Medicine Technologists
Ability to use technology. Nuclear medicine technologists work with computers and large pieces of technological equipment and must be comfortable operating them.
Analytical skills. Nuclear medicine technologists must understand anatomy, physiology, and other sciences and be able to calculate accurate dosages.
Compassion. Nuclear medicine technologists must be able to reassure and calm patients who are under physical and emotional stress.
Detail oriented. Nuclear medicine technologists must follow exact instructions to make sure that the correct dosage is given and that the patient is not overexposed to radiation.
Interpersonal skills. Nuclear medicine technologists interact with patients and often work as part of a team. They must be able to follow instructions from a supervising physician.
Physical stamina. Nuclear medicine technologists must stand for long periods and be able to lift and move patients who need help.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salaries[About this section] [More salary/earnings info] [To Top]
The median annual wage for nuclear medicine technologists is $78,760. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $60,550, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $105,530.
The median annual wages for nuclear medicine technologists in the top industries in which they work are as follows:
| Outpatient care centers | $125,920 |
| Medical and diagnostic laboratories | $79,970 |
| Hospitals; state, local, and private | $78,670 |
| Offices of physicians | $78,140 |
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.
Job Outlook for Nuclear Medicine Technologists[About this section] [To Top]
Employment of nuclear medicine technologists is projected to grow 8 percent over the next ten years, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
Despite limited employment growth, about 1,000 openings for nuclear medicine technologists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most 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.
See all medical jobs.
Employment of Nuclear Medicine Technologists
Among other medical uses, nuclear imaging is common in the detection, staging, and treatment evaluation of different types of cancers. An increased need is expected for the nuclear medicine technologists who administer these tests due to the growing number of people entering older age groups, in which cancer is more prevalent.
These technologists also will be needed as nuclear medicine improves and its application expands to include therapeutics, such as with the development of radiopharmaceuticals. However, an expected decline in the number of self-employed nuclear medicine technologists may dampen overall employment growth.
| Occupational Title | Employment, 2021 | Projected Employment, 2031 | Change, 2021-31 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Percent | Numeric | |||
| Nuclear medicine technologists | 18,900 | 19,200 | 2 | 300 |
More Nuclear Medicine Technologist Information[About this section] [To Top]
For more information about nuclear and radiologic medicine, visit
American Board of Nuclear Medicine
American College of Nuclear Medicine
Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
For a list of accredited programs in nuclear medicine technology, visit
Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology
For more information about certification for nuclear medicine technologists, visit
A portion of the information on this page is used by permission of the U.S. Department of Labor.