Career comparison
Nuclear Technician vs. Radiologic Technologist
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Nuclear technicians earn more at the median ($110,240 vs. $80,110), while nuclear technicians usually get to work faster (2 years + plant training of training). Nuclear technicians monitor radiation and support nuclear plants, labs and research. Radiologic technologists take the X-rays and diagnostic images doctors use to find fractures, disease and injuries.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Nuclear Technician | Radiologic Technologist | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $110,240 ($53.00/hr) | $80,110 ($38.52/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $73,150 – $133,600 | $55,980 – $118,660 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +1.1% (slower than average) | +5.0% (faster than average) |
| Openings per year | 900 | 13,000 |
| Typical entry education | Associate's degree | Associate's degree |
| Training time | 2 years + plant training | 2 years |
| Key credential | NRRPT registration | ARRT Radiography (R) |
| Work setting | Technicians work in nuclear plants, labs and facilities, sometimes in protective clothing in radiation areas.. | Technologists work in hospital radiology departments, emergency departments, imaging centers and clinics. |
What each job does
Nuclear Technician
- Survey areas for radiation and contamination
- Monitor and track worker dose
- Control access to radiation areas
- Sample and analyze water and air
- Calibrate radiation instruments
Radiologic Technologist
- Review imaging orders and confirm patient identity
- Explain procedures and answer patient questions
- Position patients and equipment for the correct views
- Set exposure factors and capture diagnostic images
- Apply radiation protection for patients, staff and yourself
How they’re similar
Both careers involve hands-on work, high-pay, indoor work, and high responsibility. They sit in different fields, energy & utilities and healthcare, but share transferable skills such as attention to detail and communication with anxious patients.
Which should you choose?
Choose nuclear technician if…
- I like science and math
- I want to protect people
- I’m detail-oriented
Choose radiologic technologist if…
- I’m interested in anatomy and how the body works
- I like technology and equipment
- I can stay calm with patients in pain
Still torn? Take the Nuclear Technician fit quiz and the Radiologic Technologist fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, nuclear technician or radiologic technologist?
Nuclear Technicians earn more at the median: $110,240 versus $80,110 for radiologic technologists, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Nuclear Technicians typically train faster (2 years + plant training) than radiologic technologists (2 years).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects radiologic technologists to grow +5.0% from 2025–35, compared with +1.1% for nuclear technicians.