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The differences between nuclear medicine technologists and sonographers 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 a sonographer. Additionally, a sonographer has an average salary of $85,898, 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 a sonographer are patients, sonography, and ARDMS.
| Nuclear Medicine Technologist | Sonographer | |
| Yearly salary | $72,978 | $85,898 |
| Hourly rate | $35.09 | $41.30 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 56,975 | 14,117 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 45% | Associate Degree, 57% |
| Average age | 47 | 43 |
| 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.
A Sonographer performs diagnostic procedures using sonographic equipment. Their duties include preparing patients, explaining the exam, and performing the procedure.
Nuclear medicine technologists and sonographers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Nuclear Medicine Technologist | Sonographer | |
| Average salary | $72,978 | $85,898 |
| Salary range | Between $35,000 And $151,000 | Between $58,000 And $125,000 |
| Highest paying City | Modesto, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Community Medical Center | Medical City Arlington |
| Best paying industry | - | Technology |
There are a few differences between a nuclear medicine technologist and a sonographer in terms of educational background:
| Nuclear Medicine Technologist | Sonographer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 45% | Associate Degree, 57% |
| Most common major | Nuclear And Industrial Radiologic Technologies | Medical Technician |
| Most common college | Texas A&M University | Duke University |
Here are the differences between nuclear medicine technologists' and sonographers' demographics:
| Nuclear Medicine Technologist | Sonographer | |
| Average age | 47 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 46.4% Female, 53.6% | Male, 15.0% Female, 85.0% |
| 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, 4.2% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 10.4% Asian, 8.8% White, 72.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 22% | 6% |