Medical Radiography or Nuclear Medicine

[u/hide_on_altacc]

I’m a high school student and I was curious about both of these programs. How is the job outlook for each? Which one has more potential for higher salary? Any info would be appreciated

[u/jacksonblaze101]

Both jobs have many vacancies. They are both categorized at the same level in BC, so the wages are identical.

Both 2 year programs, MRAD has about 4 times more seats available, but they were filled very early on (2 or 3 days into the application window). NMED application window opens Oct 1 (for Sept of following year), MRAD opens Feb 1 (for Jan of following year).

I would suggest doing a job shadow at a hospital and seeing what interests you more.

[u/Spiritual_Aioli3396 → u/jacksonblaze101]

I would say nuc med doesn’t have nearly as many jobs available as its smaller department and people who are in the full time lines tend to stay In them forever. Nuc med also has less operational hours compared to standard Radiology.

I think the Nuc med program only had a cohort of 20 compared to rad tech 80?

I’ve heard through the grapevine that rad tech program WILL be going to competitive entry for the 2027 applications.

[u/jacksonblaze101 → u/Spiritual_Aioli3396]

I agree that MRAD has more jobs available, compared to Nuc Med. However, there are a lot more graduates in MRAD, in BC, with the 3 schools (over 100 total) while only 20 NMED graduates max.

But both professions have dire shortages across the province. BC Cancer is expanding, leading to more PET scanners, which NMED techs work in (BCCA centers with PET opening in 2028, 2029 and 2030). Not to mention that both professions have been hired directly into CT positions.

If they do go to competitive entry, someone is high school will have to significantly differentiate themselves from the other applicants (volunteer or work experience, in a health care oriented position would help).

[u/Spiritual_Aioli3396 → u/jacksonblaze101]

Good points! Especially about the 20 NMED grads vs 100 MRAD! For rad tech they have recently been bringing in international rad techs too, which is something they never used to do. It used to be that u had to completely redo the schooling here. I’m currently working on pre-reqs to apply to the rad tech course and hope there will still be a decent amount of jobs 3 years from now.

(Now Fraser Health's Medical Imaging department is embracing an international recruitment strategy that is transforming their own team culture.

Since April 1, 2025, Fraser Health’s Medical Imaging team has hired 12 international technologists and are continuing to support several more through the immigration process. This initiative has filled critical roles, enriched team culture and showcased a welcoming environment for newcomers to our Medical Imaging teams.

"We recognized the need to expand our search for skilled technologists," said Kevin Enns, executive director, Medical Imaging. "Local recruitment strategies alone couldn’t meet our immediate needs, so we needed to look outside our borders.”)

[u/jacksonblaze101 → u/Spiritual_Aioli3396]

I had heard about the international trained techs...it's a good initiative, for the short term, to patch up staffing issues. It'll be interesting to see how this will impact things in the long term.

Good luck on your pre-reqs and application to the program!

[u/Spiritual_Aioli3396 → u/jacksonblaze101]

Thanks! Yeah my main concern is that I of course will want a full time line… and I highly doubt people are moving here to just work the part time ones lol but 3 years is a while away, So just will have to see what happens! Maybe I’ll will the lottery and it won’t matter 😆

[u/hide_on_altacc → u/jacksonblaze101]

how fast did nuc med fill up?

[u/jacksonblaze101 → u/hide_on_altacc]

A few weeks, I think. Maybe a month?

[u/Spiritual_Aioli3396 → u/hide_on_altacc]

See my comment above, just wanted to add the rad tech program filled up within 2 hours this year and was waitlisted within the day.