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Nuclear Medicine Technologists vs Respiratory Therapists: what changes?

Consider Nuclear Medicine Technologists if you want to prepare, administer, and measure radioactive isotopes in therapeutic, diagnostic, and tracer studies using a variety of radioisotope equipment. Consider Respiratory Therapists if you would rather assess, treat, and care for patients with breathing disorders. Both list associate's degree; compare training and prior experience separately.

Try this next: Compare three local entry-level postings for Nuclear Medicine Technologists and Respiratory Therapists. 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.

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

Respiratory Therapists

National median pay (2025)
$82,280
Route into the job
Associate's degree
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.
Work to investigate
Provide emergency care, such as artificial respiration, external cardiac massage, or assistance with cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
Annual openings (2025–2035)
8,600
Know before you choose

Exposure to illness or infection is a recurring part of the work context, even when safety procedures are followed.

See the full Respiratory Therapists brief
See scores, detailed data, and how the comparison works

How the national numbers differ

1

Respiratory Therapists has the edge on annual openings

Respiratory Therapists is at 8,600 annual openings, compared with 800 annual openings for Nuclear Medicine Technologists.

2

Respiratory Therapists has the edge on projected growth

Respiratory Therapists is at 8.5% 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 $82,280 for Respiratory Therapists.

53.4/ 100

Nuclear Medicine Technologists

vs
70.5/ 100

Respiratory Therapists

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

Nuclear Medicine Technologists vs Respiratory Therapists

DimensionNuclear Medicine TechnologistsRespiratory Therapists
Median pay (2025)$101,370$82,280
Pay percentile83.6 percentile74.3 percentile
Projected growth (2025–2035)4.4%8.5%
Annual openings (2025–2035)8008,600
2025 employment17,400142,000
How you qualifyAn 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.Associate's degree
O*NET preparation groupJob Zone 3Job Zone 3
Related work experienceNo prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.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.
SchedulesMost work full time. Some settings require evenings, weekends, or on-call coverage.Varies by employer and setting; ask about shifts, overtime, on-call work, and predictable hours.
Physical workStanding and helping patients move are common. Handling radioactive materials requires protective procedures and exposure monitoring.Unknown: review standing, lifting, repetitive movement, and posture with a practitioner. No overall physical-demand rating is assigned.

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

Read Nuclear Medicine Technologists briefRead Respiratory Therapists brief

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