Nuclear Medicine Technologists
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.
Also called: Certified Nuclear Medicine Technologist (CNMT), Isotope Technician, Isotope Technologist, Medical Radiation Dosimetrist, Nuclear Cardiology Technologist, Nuclear Medical Technologist
Median pay
$101,370
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$78,080 – $134,500
People employed
17,080
Holland code
RIC
Realistic · Investigative · Conventional
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Do you enjoy serving customers or the public?
- 2.Do you prefer working indoors?
- 3.Are you happy talking and working with people most of the day?
- 4.Do you want a lot of freedom to make your own decisions?
- 5.Do you want to stay at 40 hours a week or less?
The hard parts
- Exposure to disease or infection
- Mistakes can have serious consequences
- Tight deadlines are common
Nuclear Medicine Technologists pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (48 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What nuclear medicine technologists do
- 01Administer radiopharmaceuticals or radiation intravenously to detect or treat diseases, using radioisotope equipment, under direction of a physician.
- 02Detect and map radiopharmaceuticals in patients' bodies, using a camera to produce photographic or computer images.
- 03Process cardiac function studies, using computer.
- 04Calculate, measure, and record radiation dosage or radiopharmaceuticals received, used, and disposed, using computer and following physician's prescription.
- 05Record and process results of procedures.
- 06Produce a computer-generated or film image for interpretation by a physician.
Skills that matter most
- Critical Thinking
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Monitoring
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
Knowledge
- Customer and Personal Service
- Biology
- English Language
- Physics
- Medicine and Dentistry
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Integrity
- Cautiousness
- Cooperation
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs vocational training or an associate degree (O*NET Job Zone 3).
- Related work experience: over 1 year, up to and including 2 years.
- On-the-job training: over 3 months, up to and including 6 months.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from nuclear medicine technologists
- Radiation Therapists92% · +4%
- Nuclear Monitoring Technicians78% · group pay
- Respiratory Therapists75% · −19%
- Police Identification and Records Officers67% · group pay
- Nuclear Technicians66% · +9%
Change into nuclear medicine technologists
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Radiation Therapists92% · $105,310
- Nuclear Monitoring Technicians84% · $110,240
- Respiratory Therapists81% · $82,280
- Phlebotomists78% · $45,230
- Surgical Assistants75% · $66,800
Majors that lead here
- Nuclear Medical Technology/Technologist
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.