Nuclear Medicine Technologist Salary
Nuclear Medicine Technologists earn a median $101,370 a year nationally. Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations
What nuclear medicine technologists do
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.
- Typical education
- Associate's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +4.4% (about average)
- Openings per year
- 800
Employment of nuclear medicine technologists is projected to grow 4.4% from 2025 to 2035, about the same as the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 800 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$13,471
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,285
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,470
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$80,144
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $78,080 | $37.54 | $63,759 |
| 25th percentile | $86,720 | $41.69 | $69,838 |
| Median (50th) | $101,370 | $48.74 | $80,144 |
| 75th percentile | $117,120 | $56.31 | $91,224 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $134,500 | $64.66 | $103,197 |
Nuclear Medicine Technologist salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $162,380 | +4.6% | $109,270 | $122,760 – $200,990 | 1,500 |
| Washington | $126,200 | +4.2% | $97,524 | $102,970 – $158,740 | 320 |
| Hawaii | $125,650 | +1.0% | $89,129 | $108,140 – $130,220 | 30 |
| New Jersey | $124,280 | +12.0% | $90,485 | $101,830 – $140,340 | 540 |
| Oregon | $122,100 | +10.4% | $84,867 | $101,080 – $132,510 | 180 |
| New York | $118,650 | +8.8% | $86,340 | $96,870 – $134,400 | 890 |
| Massachusetts | $118,250 | +7.2% | $86,326 | $88,470 – $148,900 | 380 |
| Connecticut | $117,150 | +9.4% | $86,366 | $98,800 – $129,720 | 170 |
| Colorado | $116,990 | +7.4% | $86,693 | $94,950 – $132,580 | 200 |
| District of Columbia | $116,630 | +1.6% | $83,934 | $96,160 – $150,860 | 30 |
| Utah | $111,770 | +4.7% | $83,397 | $91,570 – $129,590 | 120 |
| Nevada | $109,150 | +1.4% | $85,617 | $97,640 – $136,520 | 120 |
| New Hampshire | $107,890 | +8.0% | $84,731 | $103,570 – $123,450 | 60 |
| Minnesota | $107,380 | +3.4% | $78,593 | $96,440 – $119,650 | 200 |
| Illinois | $104,950 | +3.1% | $77,612 | $84,590 – $122,800 | 620 |
| Idaho | $104,630 | +5.7% | $78,000 | $83,550 – $123,990 | 80 |
| Nebraska | $104,320 | +0.0% | $78,352 | $58,130 – $124,410 | 120 |
| Maryland | $104,150 | +7.9% | $77,516 | $87,120 – $122,930 | 330 |
| Rhode Island | $104,000 | −3.7% | $78,656 | $99,230 – $133,890 | 110 |
| Indiana | $103,230 | +6.7% | $78,437 | $85,140 – $119,310 | 280 |
| North Dakota | $102,640 | +4.0% | $80,295 | $76,250 – $115,390 | 50 |
| Virginia | $101,820 | +5.2% | $75,420 | $84,600 – $120,070 | 430 |
| Texas | $101,170 | +5.3% | $80,003 | $81,330 – $124,530 | 1,060 |
| Georgia | $100,880 | +12.8% | $75,186 | $75,490 – $125,760 | 540 |
| Montana | $100,490 | +3.6% | $75,208 | $62,340 – $107,830 | 50 |
| Delaware | $100,470 | +4.6% | $74,221 | $83,190 – $122,490 | 70 |
| Arizona | $100,130 | +1.4% | $76,977 | $81,030 – $123,130 | 430 |
| Maine | $99,500 | +4.5% | $73,210 | $80,820 – $113,730 | 70 |
| Wisconsin | $98,450 | +12.6% | $74,252 | $77,380 – $118,560 | 390 |
| New Mexico | $98,400 | +16.0% | $74,564 | $74,820 – $125,230 | 70 |
| Missouri | $98,010 | +0.6% | $74,111 | $76,660 – $118,120 | 360 |
| Ohio | $97,570 | +3.3% | $75,570 | $80,620 – $105,990 | 670 |
| Florida | $97,310 | +10.0% | $77,288 | $80,070 – $110,640 | 1,740 |
| Kentucky | $95,470 | +8.5% | $72,769 | $75,360 – $117,540 | 270 |
| Michigan | $95,400 | +6.8% | $72,140 | $75,000 – $101,680 | 640 |
| Pennsylvania | $94,570 | +9.6% | $72,457 | $75,270 – $118,110 | 740 |
| Iowa | $92,890 | +11.1% | $71,300 | $80,090 – $105,970 | 150 |
| Oklahoma | $90,640 | +1.7% | $69,062 | $72,110 – $103,490 | 200 |
| South Carolina | $90,230 | +6.9% | $68,050 | $76,820 – $102,760 | 280 |
| Louisiana | $87,670 | +6.2% | $68,262 | $69,040 – $105,050 | 170 |
| North Carolina | $85,240 | +1.7% | $65,904 | $67,080 – $103,980 | 600 |
| Tennessee | $84,470 | +5.0% | $68,255 | $68,640 – $108,020 | 390 |
| Arkansas | $83,670 | +11.3% | $64,641 | $58,130 – $103,220 | 190 |
| Mississippi | $83,340 | +2.9% | $64,858 | $64,880 – $101,800 | 160 |
| Alabama | $82,630 | +4.3% | $63,094 | $64,150 – $100,310 | 320 |
| South Dakota | $82,010 | +3.7% | $66,524 | $39,090 – $101,940 | 140 |
| Wyoming | $81,900 | — | $66,447 | $78,580 – $119,660 | 40 |
| West Virginia | $76,460 | −7.3% | $59,869 | $65,570 – $101,300 | 150 |
| Kansas | $64,610 | −23.3% | $51,289 | $55,310 – $104,100 | 380 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $96,590 | Associate's degree | +13.9% |
| Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist | $95,480 | Associate's degree | +7.7% |
| Radiologic Technologist and Technician | $80,110 | Associate's degree | +5.0% |
| Cardiovascular Technologist and Technician | $74,310 | Associate's degree | +3.7% |
| Medical Dosimetrist | $147,470 | Bachelor's degree | +5.0% |
| Orthotist and Prosthetist | $81,110 | Master's degree | +12.9% |
| Hearing Aid Specialist | $65,160 | High school diploma or equivalent | +19.4% |
| Surgical Technologist | $64,650 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +5.0% |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse | $64,400 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +3.0% |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologist and Technician | $62,930 | Bachelor's degree | +2.7% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a nuclear medicine technologist make?
The national median salary for nuclear medicine technologists is $101,370 a year ($48.74 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $78,080 and the top 10% earn over $134,500. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays nuclear medicine technologists the most?
California has the highest median pay at $162,380.
How many nuclear medicine technologists are there in the U.S.?
About 17,080 people work as nuclear medicine technologists nationwide.