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
SOC: 29-2033 O*NET: 29-2033.00
Median Salary
$97,020
per year
Job Growth
➡️ 3%
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
0.9
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Job Zone 3
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.
What does a Nuclear Medicine Technologists do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$75,570
10th percentile
Early Career
$83,020
25th percentile
Median
$97,020
50th percentile
Experienced
$108,190
75th percentile
Top Earners
$128,090
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$75,570
25th
$83,020
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$97,020
Mean: $99,690
75th
$108,190
90th
$128,090
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $52,520 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $83,020 and $108,190
- •Salary spread is 25.9% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 16,960 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:20,000
Top Industries
Hospitals62.3%
General Medical and Surgical Hospitals61.6%
Ambulatory Health Care Services24.6%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+3%
Annual Openings:900
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)20,000
Current
2034 (Projected)20,600
+3%
+600
Employment Change
+3%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Nuclear Medicine Technologists professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 48 locations
Florida
1,740 jobs$88,4501.61x
California
1,380 jobs$155,2200.69x
Texas
1,040 jobs$96,0600.68x
New York
940 jobs$109,0200.90x
Ohio
790 jobs$94,4501.30x
Pennsylvania
720 jobs$86,3201.09x
New Jersey
660 jobs$111,0001.41x
Illinois
650 jobs$101,8400.97x
Michigan
590 jobs$89,3001.23x
Georgia
550 jobs$89,4501.03x
North Carolina
530 jobs$83,8200.98x
Arizona
510 jobs$98,7201.45x
Virginia
440 jobs$96,8200.98x
Tennessee
430 jobs$80,4701.19x
Wisconsin
420 jobs$87,4701.30x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Critical Thinking
100%
#2
Speaking
94%
#3
Active Listening
86%
#4
Writing
80%
#5
Reading Comprehension
74%
#6
Monitoring
66%
#7
Social Perceptiveness
60%
#8
Science
54%
#9
Coordination
46%
#10
Judgment and Decision Making
40%
Skills Overview
Critical Thinking
advanced5.0
100%
Speaking
advanced4.7
94%
Active Listening
intermediate4.3
86%
Writing
intermediate4.0
80%
Reading Comprehension
basic3.7
74%
Monitoring
intermediate3.3
66%
Social Perceptiveness
intermediate3.0
60%
Science
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Critical Thinking
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Speaking
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Active Listening
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Writing
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Monitoring
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Social Perceptiveness
intermediateImportance60%
skills
3.0/5.0
Science
basicImportance54%
abilities
2.7/5.0
Coordination
basicImportance46%
skills
2.3/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
basicImportance40%
abilities
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Registered Nurses82%
5 shared skills
Police Identification and Records Officers82%
5 shared skills
Security Managers82%
5 shared skills
General Internal Medicine Physicians82%
5 shared skills
New Accounts Clerks82%
5 shared skills
Optometrists82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Writing
Learn on the Job:
- →Monitoring
- →Social Perceptiveness
- →Science
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Writing
- ✓Critical Thinking
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Speaking
- ★Active Listening
- ★Writing
- ★Critical Thinking
- ★Reading Comprehension
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Nuclear Medicine Technologists
Technology Intensity
High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires advanced digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechMEDITECH software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Outlook
MEDITECH software
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
HIGH
👥
Team Orientation
MOSTLY TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet high physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy mostly team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
17
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Documentation & Record-Keeping (4)General Responsibilities (9)Management & Supervision (2)Planning & Development (1)Operations & Execution (1)
1
Calculate, measure, and record radiation dosage or radiopharmaceuticals received, used, and disposed, using computer and following physician's prescription.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping100% perform100%
2
Detect and map radiopharmaceuticals in patients' bodies, using a camera to produce photographic or computer images.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Explain test procedures and safety precautions to patients and provide them with assistance during test procedures.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Produce a computer-generated or film image for interpretation by a physician.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Process cardiac function studies, using computer.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Dispose of radioactive materials and store radiopharmaceuticals, following radiation safety procedures.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Record and process results of procedures.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping82% perform88%
8
Prepare stock radiopharmaceuticals, adhering to safety standards that minimize radiation exposure to workers and patients.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping79% perform86%
9
Maintain and calibrate radioisotope and laboratory equipment.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping76% perform84%
10
Gather information on patients' illnesses and medical history to guide the choice of diagnostic procedures for therapy.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on documentation & record-keeping activities
- •41% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Nuclear Medicine Technologists
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Nuclear Medicine Technologists professionals typically have a RIC Holland code and highly value relationships
RRealistic
IInvestigative
CConventional
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Nuclear Medicine Technologists
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.67
Concern for Others
CriticalConcern for Others
Importance Level4.66
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.54
Cooperation
CriticalCooperation
Importance Level4.51
Integrity
Very ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level4.45
Independence
Very ImportantIndependence
Importance Level4.42
Complete Work Styles Profile
Attention to Detail
4.7
Concern for Others
4.7
Dependability
4.5
Cooperation
4.5
Integrity
4.5
Independence
4.4
Self-Control
4.3
Stress Tolerance
4.3
Analytical Thinking
4.1
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.0
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Typical duration: Varies
Preparation Level
Job Zone 3
Medium Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Training:
Training of more than one year
💼 Experience Requirement
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Associate degree programs
- • Apprenticeships (1-2 years)
- • Vocational training with related experience
3
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Associate degree programsApprenticeships (1-2 years)Vocational training with related experience
Ready to Start Your Journey?
Explore educational programs that can help you become a Nuclear Medicine Technologists.
Browse Training Programs →