Nuclear Medicine Technologists: Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz

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Nuclear Medicine Technologists

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.

Salary
$82080
Becoming One
Medium
Education
Associate's degree
Job Satisfaction
Job Growth

Personality



Job description

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.

  • 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.
Read more about what does a Nuclear Medicine Technologist really do at work and what is it like being and working as one.



Salary

Average salary
$78870 per year

Average hourly wage
$38 per hour


Nuclear Medicine Technologists with little to no experience tend to make between $55330 and $65720 while the more experienced ones can earn over $92080 per year.

Top 5 paying states Hourly Annual
CA $54 $112,040
DC $46 $96,370
WA $44 $91,950
NJ $44 $91,690
HI $44 $91,310

One of the easiest ways to increase your salary as a Nuclear Medicine Technologist is to move to a higher paying state like CA. Right now, the highest paying states for Nuclear Medicine Technologists are CA, DC, WA, NJ and HI.

However, a higher pay at CA doesn’t guarantee that you will make more because the living expenses at CA might be twice as high than where you are currently at now.

Three other factors that can increase your salary as a Nuclear Medicine Technologist is the degree you hold, the industry you work in, and lastly the company you work for.


Requirements

Recommended degree level
Associate’s degree

We asked other Nuclear Medicine Technologists what degree they had when they got the job and most of them said they had an Associate’s Degree followed by a Bachelor’s Degree.

Other than that, we also asked them what did they major in and here are the most popular majors that came up.

Nuclear Medical Technology/Technologist
Read more about how to become a Nuclear Medicine Technologist and the degree, training and education you need.

Pros and Cons

Here are some of the pros and cons of being a Nuclear Medicine Technologist.

PROS
Suitable for people who likes to solve problems mentally
Suitable for people who values relationships between co-workers and customers and wants to work in a friendly non-competitive environment
This career is perfect for people who love to work indoors.
It is not too difficult to get into this career. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for this career.
Normal working hours (40 hours per week)
CONS
Not suitable for people who likes to work with designs

What is the job like

Job satisfaction
79%

Is this job meaningful
82%


79% of Nuclear Medicine Technologists said they were satisfied with their job and 82% said they feel like their job is making other people’s lives better.


Is this right for me

Best personality for this career
The Thinkers and The Builders

You can read more about these career personality types here.

People who are suitable for this job tends to like working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. They like searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally..

They also like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.



Learn more about Nuclear Medicine Technologists

Summary (You are here)
Job Description
Salary
Requirements
Quiz

Related career information

Nuclear Medicine Technologists job description, Nuclear Medicine Technologists salary, Nuclear Medicine Technologists information, what is the job of a Nuclear Medicine Technologist like, pros and cons about Nuclear Medicine Technologists, colleges and universities for Nuclear Medicine Technologists, is Nuclear Medicine Technologists the right career for me, careers in Healthcare and Medical

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