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The differences between nuclear medicine technologists and mri technologists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a nuclear medicine technologist and an mri technologist. Additionally, an mri technologist has an average salary of $77,257, which is higher than the $72,978 average annual salary of a nuclear medicine technologist.
The top three skills for a nuclear medicine technologist include patients, PET and radiopharmaceuticals. The most important skills for an mri technologist are patients, ARRT, and magnetic resonance imaging.
| Nuclear Medicine Technologist | MRI Technologist | |
| Yearly salary | $72,978 | $77,257 |
| Hourly rate | $35.09 | $37.14 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 56,975 | 53,125 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 45% | Associate Degree, 56% |
| Average age | 47 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
The job of a nuclear medicine technologist is to examine how the body functions to assist in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and medical conditions. These professionals perform various tasks that include preparing and administering radiopharmaceuticals and other medications to patients, monitoring a patient's physical condition during the procedure, and providing patient information, images, and data analysis for diagnosis and treatment. They are expected to answer patients' questions and explain the procedure to them. Nuclear medical technologists are also required to follow radiation safety procedures.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) technologists are medical professionals who manage everything involved in the MRI machine. They operate the machines to get scans of the patients' brain, spinal cord, or muscles, which would help doctors identify or diagnose clients' illnesses and diseases. They help the patients prepare for the MRI scans and ensure that they are properly protected. They also carefully take direction from attending physicians to ensure that they scan the correct body part needed for the diagnosis. MRI technologists are also in charge of maintaining the MRI machine and working on repairs whenever needed.
Nuclear medicine technologists and mri technologists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Nuclear Medicine Technologist | MRI Technologist | |
| Average salary | $72,978 | $77,257 |
| Salary range | Between $35,000 And $151,000 | Between $42,000 And $138,000 |
| Highest paying City | Modesto, CA | Modesto, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Community Medical Center | Siemens Healthineers |
| Best paying industry | - | - |
There are a few differences between a nuclear medicine technologist and an mri technologist in terms of educational background:
| Nuclear Medicine Technologist | MRI Technologist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 45% | Associate Degree, 56% |
| Most common major | Nuclear And Industrial Radiologic Technologies | Medical Technician |
| Most common college | Texas A&M University | Texas A&M University |
Here are the differences between nuclear medicine technologists' and mri technologists' demographics:
| Nuclear Medicine Technologist | MRI Technologist | |
| Average age | 47 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 46.4% Female, 53.6% | Male, 43.6% Female, 56.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.0% Unknown, 3.2% Hispanic or Latino, 8.5% Asian, 9.9% White, 69.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% | Black or African American, 5.4% Unknown, 3.3% Hispanic or Latino, 11.0% Asian, 10.4% White, 69.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 22% | 12% |