Career comparison
Nuclear Engineer vs. Nuclear Medicine Technologist
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Nuclear engineers earn more at the median ($133,970 vs. $101,370), while nuclear medicine technologists usually get to work faster (2–4 years of training). Nuclear engineers design and run nuclear reactors and radiation systems safely. 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
| Nuclear Engineer | Nuclear Medicine Technologist | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $133,970 ($64.41/hr) | $101,370 ($48.74/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $92,960 – $196,290 | $78,080 – $134,500 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +0.4% (little or no change) | +4.4% (about as fast as average) |
| Openings per year | 800 | 800 |
| Typical entry education | Bachelor's degree | Associate's degree |
| Training time | 4-year engineering degree | 2–4 years |
| Key credential | PE license | CNMT (NMTCB) |
| Work setting | Nuclear engineers work at power plants, labs, naval shipyards and offices.. | Technologists work in hospitals and imaging centers.. |
What each job does
Nuclear Engineer
- Monitor reactor performance
- Analyze safety
- Manage fuel
- Design shielding
- Write procedures
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 high-pay and indoor work. They sit in different fields, energy & utilities and healthcare, but share transferable skills such as attention to detail and attention to detail.
Which should you choose?
Choose nuclear engineer if…
- I love physics
- I’m very careful
- I follow procedures
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 Nuclear Engineer fit quiz and the Nuclear Medicine Technologist fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, nuclear engineer or nuclear medicine technologist?
Nuclear Engineers earn more at the median: $133,970 versus $101,370 for nuclear medicine technologists, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Nuclear Medicine Technologists typically train faster (2–4 years) than nuclear engineers (4-year engineering degree).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects nuclear medicine technologists to grow +4.4% from 2025–35, compared with +0.4% for nuclear engineers.