Career comparison
MRI Technologist vs. Nuclear Medicine Technologist
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Nuclear medicine technologists earn more at the median ($101,370 vs. $95,480), while nuclear medicine technologists usually get to work faster (2–4 years of training). MRI technologists operate MRI scanners that create detailed images of the body. Nuclear medicine technologists use radioactive tracers to image the body and help treat disease.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| MRI Technologist | Nuclear Medicine Technologist | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $95,480 ($45.91/hr) | $101,370 ($48.74/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $68,890 – $127,670 | $78,080 – $134,500 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +7.7% (much faster than average) | +4.4% (about as fast as average) |
| Openings per year | 2,300 | 800 |
| Typical entry education | Associate's degree | Associate's degree |
| Training time | 2–3 years | 2–4 years |
| Key credential | ARRT (MR) | CNMT (NMTCB) |
| Work setting | MRI technologists work in hospitals and outpatient imaging centers.. | Technologists work in hospitals and imaging centers.. |
What each job does
MRI Technologist
- Screen patients for MRI safety
- Position patients in the scanner
- Select imaging sequences
- Give contrast when ordered
- Monitor patients during scans
Nuclear Medicine Technologist
- Prepare radioactive drugs
- Give tracers to patients
- Operate gamma cameras and PET scanners
- Position patients for imaging
- Follow radiation safety rules
How they’re similar
Both careers involve hands-on work, helping others, indoor work, and steady routines. Both are part of the healthcare field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose MRI technologist if…
- I like advanced technology
- I’m calm with nervous patients
- I follow safety rules strictly
Choose nuclear medicine technologist if…
- I like science and technology
- I follow safety rules carefully
- I want a high-paying two-year career
Still torn? Take the MRI Technologist fit quiz and the Nuclear Medicine Technologist fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, MRI technologist or nuclear medicine technologist?
Nuclear Medicine Technologists earn more at the median: $101,370 versus $95,480 for MRI technologists, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Nuclear Medicine Technologists typically train faster (2–4 years) than MRI technologists (2–3 years).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects MRI technologists to grow +7.7% from 2025–35, compared with +4.4% for nuclear medicine technologists.