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Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists vs Nuclear Medicine Technologists: what changes?

Consider Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists if you want to operate Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanners. Consider Nuclear Medicine Technologists if you would rather prepare, administer, and measure radioactive isotopes in therapeutic, diagnostic, and tracer studies using a variety of radioisotope equipment. Both list associate's degree; compare training and prior experience separately. Prior experience in a related occupation is typically needed for Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists (less than 5 years).

Try this next: Compare three local entry-level postings for Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists and Nuclear Medicine Technologists. List the duties, credentials, prior experience, and paid training each employer actually asks for. Try a supervised class or sample project from each field before choosing a program.

BLS 2025 wages and 2025–2035 projections. National medians are not starting offers. Occupation size is not a count of vacancies. View the BLS data.

Compare the practical differences
What this means in practice

The facts most likely to affect your decision

Start with earnings, the route into the job, training, available openings, and a day-to-day reality.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists

National median pay (2025)
$95,480
Route into the job
Associate's degree; Prior related experience: less than 5 years
Prior related experience
Prior related experience: less than 5 years.
Training and licensing
BLS does not list a separate on-the-job training requirement. Employers may still provide orientation and role-specific training.
Work to investigate
Review physicians' orders to confirm prescribed exams.
Annual openings (2025–2035)
2,300
Know before you choose

BLS lists less than 5 years of related experience. This is normally reached through feeder roles, not directly from school.

See the full Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists brief

Nuclear Medicine Technologists

National median pay (2025)
$101,370
Route into the job
An associate degree in nuclear medicine technology is typical. Some certificate routes build on an existing healthcare qualification. Check clinical training, certification eligibility, and state licensing requirements.
Prior related experience
No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.
Training and licensing
BLS does not list a separate on-the-job training requirement. Employers may still provide orientation and role-specific training.
Physical work
Standing and helping patients move are common. Handling radioactive materials requires protective procedures and exposure monitoring.
Schedule and hours
Most work full time. Some settings require evenings, weekends, or on-call coverage.
Annual openings (2025–2035)
800
Know before you choose

Check admission and certification requirements before assuming a certificate is a route straight from high school; some routes build on an existing healthcare qualification.

BLS: entry routes, workplace, and schedules · Reviewed September 16, 2026. BLS 2025 wages and 2025–2035 projections.

See the full Nuclear Medicine Technologists brief
See scores, detailed data, and how the comparison works

How the national numbers differ

1

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists has the edge on annual openings

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists is at 2,300 annual openings, compared with 800 annual openings for Nuclear Medicine Technologists.

2

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists has the edge on projected growth

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists is at 7.7% projected growth, compared with 4.4% projected growth for Nuclear Medicine Technologists.

3

Nuclear Medicine Technologists has the edge on median pay

Nuclear Medicine Technologists is at $101,370, compared with $95,480 for Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists.

63.3/ 100

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists

vs
53.4/ 100

Nuclear Medicine Technologists

Each available metric is ranked from 0 to 100 against the careers on ChooseField. The weighted average uses this profile: pay 30%, growth 25%, openings 30%, preparation level 15%. Missing values are not scored as zero; their weights are redistributed across available metrics. Occupation size has zero weight: employment is not accessible vacancies. Preparation categories do not measure admission difficulty or years without earnings. The score summarizes national measures; local opportunities and personal fit still need separate consideration.

Detailed evidence

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists vs Nuclear Medicine Technologists

DimensionMagnetic Resonance Imaging TechnologistsNuclear Medicine Technologists
Median pay (2025)$95,480$101,370
Pay percentile79.4 percentile83.6 percentile
Projected growth (2025–2035)7.7%4.4%
Annual openings (2025–2035)2,300800
2025 employment43,90017,400
How you qualifyAssociate's degree; Prior related experience: less than 5 yearsAn associate degree in nuclear medicine technology is typical. Some certificate routes build on an existing healthcare qualification. Check clinical training, certification eligibility, and state licensing requirements.
O*NET preparation groupJob Zone 3Job Zone 3
Related work experiencePrior related experience: less than 5 years.No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.
On-the-job trainingBLS does not list a separate on-the-job training requirement. Employers may still provide orientation and role-specific training.BLS does not list a separate on-the-job training requirement. Employers may still provide orientation and role-specific training.
SchedulesVaries by employer and setting; ask about shifts, overtime, on-call work, and predictable hours.Most work full time. Some settings require evenings, weekends, or on-call coverage.
Physical workUnknown: review standing, lifting, repetitive movement, and posture with a practitioner. No overall physical-demand rating is assigned.Standing and helping patients move are common. Handling radioactive materials requires protective procedures and exposure monitoring.

The table reports national benchmarks and reviewed work descriptions. It does not rate personal suitability, job security, or physical safety.

Read Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists briefRead Nuclear Medicine Technologists brief

Try another comparison

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists vs Diagnostic Medical Sonographer

Compare pay, growth, education, and the tradeoffs that affect the decision.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists
$95,480 · 7.7% growth
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
$96,590 · 13.9% growth
Compare careers →

Nuclear Medicine Technologists vs Diagnostic Medical Sonographer

Compare pay, growth, education, and the tradeoffs that affect the decision.

Nuclear Medicine Technologists
$101,370 · 4.4% growth
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
$96,590 · 13.9% growth
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Nuclear Medicine Technologists vs Radiation Therapists

Compare pay, growth, education, and the tradeoffs that affect the decision.

Nuclear Medicine Technologists
$101,370 · 4.4% growth
Radiation Therapists
$105,310 · 2.8% growth
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