Nuclear Medicine Technology
If using radioactive material to help people sounds like fun, then let's talk about nuclear medicine technology. This major is for students who want to use nuclear technology to identify cancer and other diseases in their earliest stages, visualize what's happening in the body at the cellular level, and provide patients with life-saving therapies. As one of our students said, "I wanted a health field major that required a lot of patient contact and clinical work—but also a lot of science skills."
What will I learn?
You'll typically start with classes and labs in biology, chemistry and physics, then start learning about X-Rays, CT scans, radiation safety and how to take care of patients. You’ll be trained to perform different types of procedures on various parts of the human body, then go on clinical rotations to practice in a real-world environment. Nuclear medicine technology is a small but strong program, which means you’ll really get to know your fellow classmates and professors.
This program is in UB’s medical school, which means students have access to expert faculty, state-of-the-art labs, research projects and other opportunities through UB's affiliated hospitals and clinics.
What can I do with a nuclear medicine technology degree?
This program is designed to help you quickly start your career in a variety of settings, including:
- Hospitals.
- Medical equipment companies.
- Medical offices.
- Physician’s offices.
- Radiopharmaceutical companies.
- Outpatient imaging centers.
As one of our students said, "What I like best about the program is I'm able to start my career right after getting a bachelor's degree. I can just graduate and take my boards and then I can begin."
While most students work with patients, you can also choose a career in sales, research or education. Many of our graduates move into supervisory roles fairly quickly.
Some students also decide to go medical school or another health professional school, or to graduate school to study nuclear medicine, health physics or a similar field.
By the Numbers
Check out salary ranges and career outlooks straight from the U.S. Department of Labor to see the return on investment for your degree.
| Occupation Title | Mean Annual Wage | Mean Hourly Wage | Future Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $113,840.00 | N/A | Rapid Growth |
| Nuclear Medicine Technologists | $98,240.00 | $47.23 |
Data provided by the and DOL data from 2024.