Nuclear medicine uses tiny amounts of radiopharmaceuticals (radioactive materials) to diagnose and treat disease. Imaging nuclear medicine uses special cameras to take pictures of the inside of the body highlighted by the radiopharmaceuticals. To treat disease, the radiopharmaceuticals go directly to the area requiring treatment. According to the Society of Nuclear Medicine (SNM), about 4,000 board-certified nuclear medicine physicians and 15,700 certified nuclear medicine technologists work worldwide.
Nuclear Medicine Physician
According to the Medical Group Compensation and Financial Survey by the American Medical Group Association (AMGA), the 2009 median national salary in the U.S. for a nuclear medicine physician was $414,500. The median salary in the western U.S. was $273,032 and in the northern U.S. was $364,393.
Nuclear Medicine Technologists
Nuclear medicine technologists assist physicians in doing nuclear medicine procedures. Technologists receive training in a one-year certificate program, two-year associate's degree program or four-year bachelor's degree program and must then pass a certification exam to become a Certified Nuclear Medicine Technologist (CNMT). According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median salary, as of May 2009, for nuclear medicine technologists was $67,910, with 50 percent earning between $57,640 and $79,630.
Nuclear Medicine Pharmacists
A nuclear medicine pharmacist specializes in acquiring, compounding, dispensing, distributing and developing radiopharmaceuticals. The nuclear pharmacist monitors how patients respond to radiopharmaceuticals and provides information about health and safety issues. According to the SNM, nuclear pharmacist salaries are comparable with those of non-nuclear pharmacists. According to the BLS, the May 2009 annual median salary for pharmacists was $109,180, with 50 percent earning between $95,780 and $123,330.
Nuclear Medicine Scientists
Nuclear medicine physicists ensure the reliability and quality of the instruments used to perform nuclear tests. According to indeed.com, as of January 2011, the national average nuclear medicine physicist salary is $96,000. Radiochemists develop and improve radiopharmaceuticals. According to payscale.com, as of January 2011, the national salary range for radiochemists is $61,000 to $95,396.
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