Occupation salary profile

Nuclear Medicine Technologists

SOC 29-2033 BLS OEWS May 2025

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.

National median · BLS
$101,370
▲ +4.48% YoY
H-1B sponsor median
—
Too few H-1B filings
Average salary · BLS
$105,160
Mean annual wage
U.S. employment
17,080
Jobs (BLS)
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Pay range for Nuclear Medicine Technologists

Annual base pay at each percentile. BLS covers all U.S. workers in this occupation.

Percentile All U.S. workers (BLS)
10th — entry pay$78,080
25th$86,720
Median (50th)$101,370
75th$117,120
90th — top pay$134,500

Hourly ⇄ annual pay

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Based on hrs/week × weeks/year = 2,080 hrs
Projections 2025–2035

Job outlook for Nuclear Medicine Technologists

BLS projects employment of nuclear medicine technologists to grow 4.4% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 800 openings are projected each year, on average, from new jobs and from replacing workers who retire or move to other occupations.

Jobs 2025 → 2035
17,400 → 18,200
+800 jobs
Projected change
+4.4%
All occupations: +3.5%
Openings per year
800
Average, 2025–2035
Typical entry education
Associate's degree
No related experience required
Self-employed
0.6% of workers (2025)
Preparation needed (O*NET Job Zone 3)
Medium Preparation Needed. Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Fastest-growing jobs → Best-paying jobs that need an associate's degree →

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–2035 · BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook →

Skills & tools

Skills needed for Nuclear Medicine Technologists

How important each skill and knowledge area is for this job, rated by O*NET on a 1–5 scale from surveys of workers and occupational analysts.

Top skills
  • Critical Thinking3.9
  • Active Listening3.8
  • Speaking3.8
  • Monitoring3.5
  • Reading Comprehension3.5
  • Writing3.5
  • Social Perceptiveness3.4
  • Coordination3.3
  • Judgment and Decision Making3.3
  • Science3.3
Top knowledge areas
  • Customer and Personal Service4.7
  • Biology4.0
  • English Language3.9
  • Physics3.9
  • Medicine and Dentistry3.8
  • Chemistry3.8
  • Computers and Electronics3.7
  • Mathematics3.7
Software and technology used
MEDITECH softwareMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft WordElectronic medical record EMR softwareGamma camera softwareMedovation RadRunnerRadiopharmacy inventory databases

Highlighted = in demand: frequently listed in employer job postings for this occupation (O*NET).

Source: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.

About the job

What nuclear medicine technologists do

  • 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.
Also called
Certified Nuclear Medicine Technologist (CNMT)Nuclear Cardiology TechnologistNuclear Medicine Technologist (NMT)Staff Nuclear Medicine TechnologistNuclear Medicine PET-CT Technologist (Nuclear Medicine Positron Emission Tomography - Computed Tomography Technologist)Radiation Safety OfficerRegistered Nuclear Medicine Technologist
More job titles for this occupation (9)
Isotope TechnicianIsotope TechnologistMedical Radiation DosimetristNuclear Medical TechnologistNuclear Medicine TechnicianNuclear TechnologistPET Technologist (Positron Emission Tomography Technologist)Radioisotope TechnicianRadioisotope Technologist

Source: O*NET 31.0 (USDOL/ETA, CC BY 4.0). These are general job titles, not H-1B filings; for titles employers actually filed, see “Job titles” above.