A nuclear medicine technologist uses radioactive materials and imaging equipment to help doctors diagnose and treat disease. The work is technical, patient-focused, and you can enter the field with an associate degree. Here is what the role involves, what it takes to succeed, and how to get started.
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Nuclear medicine technologists prepare radioactive drugs and administer them to patients, then operate imaging equipment to capture detailed pictures of how the body is functioning. You work directly with patients, explaining procedures and answering questions to keep them calm and informed. You document patient information and scan results carefully, staying current with new imaging techniques and safety protocols. The work requires you to think critically about each patient's needs, communicate clearly with both patients and medical teams, and listen actively to instructions and concerns. You spend time at computers recording data and analyzing images alongside hands-on patient care.
Core work activities
Career video courtesy of CareerOneStop.
Nuclear Medicine Technologists earn a median of $101,370 a year, based on 2025 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and location.
The outlook is steady. Employment is projected to grow 3 percent from 2024 to 2034, about as fast as average for all occupations, with about 900 openings a year.
Top skills
Knowledge areas
You will need an associate degree in nuclear medicine technology or a related field. During your education, you will study biology, chemistry, physics, and patient care procedures. The program includes classroom learning and hands-on clinical training where you practice under supervision. After completing your degree, you must meet certification and licensing requirements, which vary by state. Some technologists pursue additional education or credentials to specialize in specific imaging techniques or advance their careers. Starting with an associate degree lets you enter the field efficiently while building the technical and clinical foundation the work demands.
Most paths to this career start with an associate degree program, so timing and location matter. Use Pathly can map the nuclear medicine technologist path that fits you to map out your options and build a realistic timeline with your counselor.
Many nuclear medicine technologists must be licensed, and professional certifications can strengthen your resume.
Common certifications
Licensing is handled at the state level and the requirements vary, so check the licensing board in your state. Pathly shows your state's specific steps inside your roadmap.
You are drawn to hands-on, practical work and enjoy solving problems with tools and technology. You care about helping people and communicating clearly, and you are comfortable learning science and staying current with new methods.
Reading about a career is the easy part. Turning it into a plan is where most students get stuck. Pathly takes you from curious to a clear next step, and gives your counselor the insight to champion you along the way.
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Last updated July 1, 2026.
Data sources. Career details from the O*NET 30.3 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under CC BY 4.0. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Salary and outlook figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025 wages; 2024–2034 projections), delivered via the CareerOneStop API. Certification, licensing, wage, and outlook data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by USDOL/ETA and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).