Nuclear Medicine Technologists
Machines can already do 26% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 55%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Nuclear Medicine Technologists in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 26% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 5% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2034, and 55% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 17,080 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $101,370 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 91% for contact with people.
- Also called: Certified Nuclear Medicine Technologist (CNMT), Nuclear Cardiology Technologist, Nuclear Medicine PET-CT Technologist (Nuclear Medicine Positron Emission Tomography, Computed Tomography Technologist), Nuclear Medicine Technologist (NMT).
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detect and map radiopharmaceuticals in patients' bodies, using a camera to produce photographic or computer images | 22% | 18% to 51% | |
| Administer radiopharmaceuticals or radiation intravenously to detect or treat diseases, using radioisotope equipment, under direction of a physician | 13% | 27% to 64% | |
| Calculate, measure, and record radiation dosage or radiopharmaceuticals received, used, and disposed, using computer and following physician's prescription | 8% | 18% to 51% | |
| Record and process results of procedures | 8% | 76% to 82% | |
| Prepare stock radiopharmaceuticals, adhering to safety standards that minimize radiation exposure to workers and patients | 8% | 18% to 51% | |
| Explain test procedures and safety precautions to patients and provide them with assistance during test procedures | 8% | 3% to 25% | |
| Perform quality control checks on laboratory equipment or cameras | 7% | 18% to 51% | |
| Produce a computer-generated or film image for interpretation by a physician | 5% | 36% to 68% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills nuclear medicine technologists use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Nurse Anesthetists36% of tasks by 2035 · US median $236,590
- Anesthesiologist Assistants47% of tasks by 2035 · US median $135,880
- Diagnostic Medical Sonographers37% of tasks by 2035 · US median $96,590
- Radiologic Technologists and Technicians54% of tasks by 2035 · US median $80,110
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Nuclear Medicine Technologists?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2034. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of nuclear medicine technologists?
Machines can do 26% of the tasks of nuclear medicine technologists today and 55% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 29-2033.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Nuclear Medicine Technologists: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/nuclear-medicine-technologists/