Healthcare Practitioners
Nuclear Medicine Technologists
Also called: Certified Nuclear Medicine Technologist (CNMT), Nuclear Cardiology Technologist, Nuclear Medicine PET-CT Technologist (Nuclear Medicine Positron Emission Tomography - Computed Tomography Technologist), Nuclear Medicine Technologist (NMT)
US median pay
$101,370
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
+4.4%
about average or slower
Openings a year (US)
800
17,400 employed
Typical entry education
Associate's degree
Preparation 3/5 · Medium preparation
What this job is
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 they do day to day
- 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.
- Perform quality control checks on laboratory equipment or cameras.
- Dispose of radioactive materials and store radiopharmaceuticals, following radiation safety procedures.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Social Perceptiveness3.4/5
- Service Orientation3.2/5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.2/5
- Coordination3.2/5
- Operations Monitoring3.1/5
- Complex Problem Solving3.1/5
- Time Management3.0/5
- Operation and Control3.0/5
Knowledge
- Customer and Personal Service4.7/5
- Biology4.0/5
- English Language3.9/5
- Physics3.9/5
- Medicine and Dentistry3.8/5
- Chemistry3.8/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 3 of 5 — Medium preparation. Usually vocational training, an associate's degree or an apprenticeship.
Typical entry education (BLS): Associate's degree.
Highest education of people in this job:
- Associate's degree63%
- Bachelor's degree22%
Who this job suits
Mostly Realistic
Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals
Investigative
Ideas, research and solving problems
Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.