AI tools can now sharpen nuclear medicine images, cut scan times and help measure how a tumor is responding to treatment. Nuclear medicine technologists still prepare and give radioactive drugs, run the scanners, protect patients and themselves from radiation and keep the records.
The short answer: current evidence does not point to AI replacing nuclear medicine technologists. The ILO's 2025 index rates medical imaging and therapeutic equipment technicians as not exposed, with a score of 0.22. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 4 percent growth for nuclear medicine technologists from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as average, with about 800 openings a year. Projections are estimates, not guarantees.
How exposed nuclear medicine technologists are
The International Labour Organization scores occupations' tasks from 0 (cannot be automated with generative AI) to 1 (could be done without a human operator), and groups them into gradients from 1 to 4, with 4 the most exposed; below them sit minimal exposure and not exposed (ILO Working Paper 140, 2025).
| Occupation (ISCO-08) | ILO category | Mean task score (0 to 1) |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Imaging and Therapeutic Equipment Technicians | Not exposed | 0.22 |
The ILO scores groups of occupations, so this is the closest group for nuclear medicine technologists, not a score for the job title itself.
What the BLS projects
| Occupation | Projected change 2025 to 2035 | Openings a year |
|---|---|---|
| Nuclear medicine technologists | Grow 4% | About 800 |
The BLS says nuclear imaging is common in detecting, staging and checking treatment for many cancers, and that more people entering older age groups, where cancer is more common, will keep technologists needed. Its outlook does not mention AI.
Where AI is helping
- Improving image quality and shortening scan times.
- Correcting for patient movement in images.
- Measuring uptake and changes between scans.
- Drafting procedure records.
What stays with nuclear medicine technologists
- Radioactive drugs: preparing and giving doses safely.
- Radiation safety: protecting patients, staff and handling disposal.
- Patient care: explaining the procedure and positioning patients.
- Checking AI help: processed images and measurements can contain errors, which NIST calls confabulation (NIST AI 600-1). See checking AI output.
How the job is changing
Software does more image processing, so technologists spend more time on patients, safety and quality checks. This page is general information, not medical advice.
See also will AI replace radiologists?, will AI replace sonographers? and will AI replace lab technicians?
Pay and how to get in
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics puts the median annual pay for nuclear medicine technologists at $101,370 in May 2025, against $50,980 for all workers. The typical education needed to enter is: associate's degree. See how this job compares in AI exposure by pay and AI exposure by education level.
Questions and answers
Will AI replace nuclear medicine technologists?
Not on current evidence. The closest ILO group is not exposed, and the BLS projects 4 percent growth from 2025 to 2035.
Why is nuclear medicine employment growing?
The BLS points to nuclear imaging in cancer care and more people in older age groups, where cancer is more common.
How many openings are expected?
The BLS projects about 800 openings a year.
What nuclear medicine work stays human?
Preparing and giving radioactive drugs, radiation safety, patient care and checking AI-processed images.