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Salary comparison

Nuclear Medicine Technologists vs. Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses: Who Earns More?

Nuclear Medicine Technologists out-earn Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses by $37K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Nuclear Medicine Technologists land at $101,370 and Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses at $64,400. The education gap is real: nuclear medicine technologist programs typically require bachelor's degree, while licensed practical and licensed vocational nurse programs require postsecondary nondegree award. Top-paying state for Nuclear Medicine Technologists is California ($162,380); for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses it's Washington ($83,150).

Nuclear Medicine Technologists
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses
Median salary
$101,370
$64,400
Hourly rate
$48.74/hr
$30.96/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$78,080
$49,740
Senior level (90th %)
$134,500
$83,440
Education required
Bachelor's degree
Postsecondary nondegree award
U.S. employment
17,080
648,410
Job growth (10-year)
3%
2.6%
Category
Healthcare
Healthcare
Top-paying state
California
Washington

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Nuclear Medicine Technologists median pay.

State
Nuclear Medicine Technologists
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses
California
$162,380
$79,750
Washington
$126,200
$83,150
New Jersey
$124,280
$75,160
Oregon
$122,100
$80,470
Massachusetts
$118,250
$80,220
Connecticut
$117,150
$73,690
Colorado
$116,990
$73,880
District of Columbia
$116,630
$75,740
Nevada
$109,150
$76,160
New Hampshire
$107,890
$77,110
Illinois
$104,950
$75,000
Maryland
$104,150
$74,660
Rhode Island
$104,000
$80,090
Arizona
$100,130
$77,070
Maine
$99,500
$73,200

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Nuclear Medicine Technologists or Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses?

Nuclear Medicine Technologists earn more nationally. The median is $101,370 for Nuclear Medicine Technologists versus $64,400 for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses, a difference of $37K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Nuclear Medicine Technologists or Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses?

Nuclear Medicine Technologists has the better 10-year outlook at 3% projected growth, compared to 2.6% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

Which requires more education, Nuclear Medicine Technologists or Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses?

Nuclear Medicine Technologists typically requires bachelor's degree. Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses requires postsecondary nondegree award. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Nuclear Medicine Technologists get paid the most?

California is the top-paying state for Nuclear Medicine Technologists at $162,380/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Nuclear Medicine Technologists vs. Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In California, Nuclear Medicine Technologists earn $162,380 vs. $79,750 for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Nuclear Medicine Technologists salary breakdownView →Full Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses salary breakdownView →Best cities for Nuclear Medicine Technologists by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses by take-home payExplore →How to become a nuclear medicine technologistsGuide →How to become a licensed practical and licensed vocational nursesGuide →