United States Molecular Imaging Market Report by Modality, Application, End Use, States and Company Analysis, 2025-2033

United States Molecular Imaging Market Size and Forecast 2025-2033

United States Molecular Imaging Market is estimated to expand from US$ 2.40 billion in 2024 to US$ 3.45 billion in 2033, recording a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 4.14% during 2025-2033. The growth is fueled by the emerging imaging technologies, rising incidence of chronic diseases, and enhanced demand for early diagnostic methods, improving patient care and treatment outcomes.

United States Molecular Imaging Market Outlook

Molecular imaging is an advanced diagnostic method that images the biological processes at the cellular and molecular level in living organisms. Molecular imaging employs sophisticated imaging modalities, including positron emission tomography (PET), single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), to gather detailed information regarding anatomy and function of organs and tissues.

In the USA, molecular imaging has important roles in the early diagnosis, detection, and monitoring of many diseases, especially cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and neurological diseases. Clinicians use them to assess tumor behavior, measure the efficacy of therapy, and inform treatment options.

Molecular imaging also plays an important role in drug discovery, enabling scientists to test how new treatments behave with target tissues in real-time. Its increasing uses in personalized medicine assist with tailoring treatment to unique patients, enhancing prognosis and reducing side effects. With advances in technology, the range and usefulness of molecular imaging continue to grow, improving the general quality of healthcare within the U.S.

Growth Drivers in the United States Molecular Imaging Market

Increasing Incidence of Cancer and Chronic Diseases

The United States market for molecular imaging is most strongly influenced by the increasing incidence of chronic diseases, especially cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and neurological diseases. Cancer is the second leading killer disease in the United States, and thus early and accurate diagnosis tools are essential for saving patients. Molecular imaging modalities like PET, SPECT, and hybrid imaging play a crucial role in tumor detection, staging, and assessing therapy response. Cardiovascular conditions, still the leading cause of death in the U.S., also fuel adoption of molecular imaging for heart function tests. The aging population as well as lifestyle disorders like obesity and diabetes contribute additional demands for early and precise diagnosis. About 129 million individuals in the US suffer from one or more of the major chronic diseases, including heart disease, cancer, or diabetes, as estimated by the US Department of Health and Human Services. Five among the top 10 leading causes of death are attributable to avoidable chronic illnesses. During the last 20 years, the occurrence of these conditions has continued to rise steadily, and 42% of individuals have two or more chronic diseases, while 12% have five or more.

Technological Innovation and Hybrid Imaging Advancements

Imaging technology innovation is one of the most important drivers of growth for the U.S. molecular imaging industry. Hybrid modalities like PET/CT, PET/MRI, and SPECT/CT integrate both anatomical and functional information during a single scan, enhancing diagnostic accuracy while decreasing patient exposure to separate procedures. Artificial intelligence and machine learning are being increasingly applied to imaging workflows, providing automatic image analysis, better accuracy, and quicker reporting. The U.S. is also leading the way to create new radiopharmaceutical tracers in oncology, neurology, and cardiology, increasing the clinical uses of molecular imaging. Cloud-based platforms and telemedicine integration are also increasing clinicians' access to imaging data on a national level. These developments enhance workflow productivity and patient care efficacy as well as promote adoption in hospitals, diagnostic imaging centers, and research institutions. November 2024, United Imaging has installed the world's first uMI Panvivo PET/CT at Pueblo Medical Imaging in Nevada, USA. This advanced platform boasts a NEMA spatial resolution of 2.9 mm and an effective sensitivity of 181 cps/kBq. With AI-driven 3D camera technology, the uMI Panvivo provides precision and care for all.

Strong Research Ecosystem and Federal Support

The United States enjoys a healthy biomedical research culture and significant federal investment in innovation in molecular imaging. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) support and oversee efforts to speed up development of imaging agents and imaging technologies. Universities, cancer centers, and research hospitals have extensive interactions with industry participants to foster translational research and clinical trials. Precision medicine programs initiated by the federal government focus on early detection and tailored treatment approaches, which are largely dependent on molecular imaging technologies. August 2025, The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has provided the UC Davis Department of Radiology with a National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering R01 Research Project Grant for $2.5 million over four years. The investment will develop a revolutionary medical imaging method that has the potential to greatly enhance the way physicians diagnose and comprehend cancer and bone and heart illness.

United States Molecular Imaging Market Challenges

High Equipment and Procedure Cost

The greatest challenge in the U.S. molecular imaging market is the premium cost of sophisticated equipment and procedures. PET, SPECT, and hybrid systems are costly, with big capital expenditures involving millions of dollars, out of reach for small hospitals and diagnostic clinics. The costs of running them are also high, involving maintenance, special infrastructure, and skilled personnel. On top of this, production and handling of radiopharmaceuticals incur extra expenditure. Medicare and private payers offer reimbursement for most molecular imaging tests, but coverage is sporadic for new applications and tracers. These economic impediments restrict access to rural regions and to under-resourced healthcare facilities.

Radiopharmaceutical Supply Chain and Regulatory Barrirs

The U.S. market for molecular imaging also experiences difficulties in the manufacture and distribution of radiopharmaceuticals. Tracers such as FDG, because they have a short half-life, need to be manufactured close to the site of use and require a dense network of cyclotrons and distribution centers. But shortages and logistics slowdowns consistently impact supply consistency, particularly in rural settings. And stringent FDA guidelines for the development and approval of new tracers establish prolonged timelines, hampering the introduction of innovative radiopharmaceuticals to the clinic. This constrains hospitals and imaging centers from expanding uses in oncology, neurology, and cardiology. Inefficiencies in the supply chain not only increase expense but also limit patient access to timely imaging procedures.

United States Positron Emission Tomography Molecular Imaging Markets'

Positron Emission Tomography (PET) is a dominant part of the molecular imaging market in the United States, with extensive use in oncology, neurology, and cardiology. PET is greatly appreciated for its capacity to image cellular-level changes and follow disease progression, rendering it invaluable for cancer diagnosis and therapy monitoring. Hybrid PET/CT and PET/MRI devices are becoming more popular because they can offer both functional and anatomical data, eliminating diagnostic ambiguity. PET imaging is also being used more in neurology to diagnose Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease by imaging amyloid and tau proteins in the brain. The extensive availability of FDG and introduction of new tracers further enhance its uses.

United States Molecular Ultrasound Imaging Market

Molecular ultrasound imaging is a new but promising area in the American diagnostic marketplace. In contrast to PET or SPECT, ultrasound is non-radiation-based, so it is safer and more ubiquitous. New developments in contrast agents, e.g., targeted microbubbles, enable ultrasound to image cellular and molecular events in real time. This opens its potential areas of use in oncology, cardiology, and vascular imaging. Molecular ultrasound is increasingly being noted in the U.S. as a less costly option for hospitals and clinics that are financially constrained to implement high-cost PET or MRI equipment. It is especially well-suited for point-of-care diagnostics with its portability and lack of invasiveness. Current collaborative research efforts aim to create innovative ultrasound contrast agents to broaden its clinical application.

United States Oncology Molecular Imaging Market

Oncology has the greatest application area of molecular imaging in the US. Since cancer is a preponderant cause of death, precise imaging is crucial for early diagnosis, staging, and monitoring the response to therapy. PET and SPECT imaging, and hybrid imaging devices are extensively applied in the diagnosis of cancer in hospitals as well as specialized cancer treatment centers. Radiopharmaceuticals like FDG are key to detecting tumor activity, and new tracers are broadening uses in immunotherapy and targeted therapy. The U.S. government programs for cancer screening and large investment in oncology research also drive adoption. Precision medicine approaches, based on delivering treatments to specific individuals, depend extensively on molecular imaging to inform therapy.

United States Neurology Molecular Imaging Market

Neurology is the most expanding area in the U.S. molecular imaging market, mainly due to the growing incidence of Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and epilepsy. PET and SPECT imaging are crucial for the diagnosis and treatment of these diseases through information gained from brain function, blood flow, and protein buildup. PET amyloid and tau protein-targeting tracers are emerging as indispensable tools in dementia management and research. U.S. pharmaceutical firms and research institutions are working progressively to create novel imaging agents for earlier diagnosis of neurological conditions and assisting with drug development. Due to the aging population, neurodegenerative diseases are likely to increase exponentially and raise the demand for molecular imaging in clinical practice and research.

United States Molecular Imaging Hospitals Market

United States hospitals are the largest end-users of molecular imaging technologies. Major academic medical centers and specialty cancer hospitals have been early users of PET, SPECT, and hybrid imaging systems due to strong reimbursement policies. These facilities are key participants in oncology, cardiology, and neurology imaging, as well as in carrying out clinical trials for new treatments and imaging agents. Molecular imaging is also being adopted by smaller community hospitals, but high costs for the equipment continue to be a factor. Hospital and research institution collaborations are powering translational research and speed up imaging technology innovations. With the increasing burden of chronic diseases, hospitals continue to increase their imaging capabilities to accommodate patient loads.

California Molecular Imaging Market

The state of California is among the top regional markets for molecular imaging in the U.S., led by its high-density concentration of elite research institutions, biotech firms, and advanced healthcare facilities. Municipalities like Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco are hotspots for molecular imaging innovation, especially in oncology and neurology. California's strong infrastructure facilitates PET, SPECT, and hybrid imaging adoption among hospitals and diagnostic centers. The state's biotech sector is also deeply engaged in creating novel tracers and imaging modalities, most of the time in partnership with universities. With a diverse and large population, California has a high demand for chronic disease and cancer diagnostics that contributes to growth further.

New York Molecular Imaging Market

New York is one of the most developed molecular imaging markets in the United States, with its high density of hospitals, research centers, and cancer centers. These facilities, like those in New York City, are among the first to adopt PET, SPECT, and hybrid imaging equipment for oncology, cardiology, and neurology indications. The state has an established radiopharmaceutical supply chain with consistent access to clinical-use tracers. New York's research universities and medical schools play a significant role in advancing molecular imaging innovation, especially in clinical trials for novel imaging agents. The state's high incidence of cancer and cardiovascular disease fuels robust demand for diagnostic imaging.

New Jersey Molecular Imaging Market

New Jersey represents a significant regional market for molecular imaging, with proximity to leading healthcare centers in New York and Philadelphia and a robust pharmaceutical and biotech concentration. State hospitals and diagnostic centers are increasingly implementing PET and SPECT technologies, especially for oncology and cardiology applications. New Jersey's position as a hub of pharmaceutical research and development also contributes to demand for molecular imaging in drug discovery and clinical trials. The state's population aging also contributes to increased utilization of imaging for neurological disorders and cancer. Though smaller hospitals have the financial issues of implementing sophisticated imaging technology, partnerships with larger academic institutions are assisting in broadening the reach.

Market Segmentations

Modalitys

• Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography
• Psitron Emmission Tomography
• Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectrometer
• Molecular Utrasound Imaging
• Others

Application

• Oncology
• Cardiovascular
• Neurology
• Respiratory
• Gastrointestinal

End Use

• Hospitals
• Diagnostic Imaging Centers
• Research Institutes

Top States

• California
• Texas
• New York
• Florida
• Illinois
• Pennsylvania
• Ohio
• Georgia
• New Jersey
• Washington
• North Carolina
• Massachusetts
• Virginia
• Michigan
• Maryland
• Colorado
• Tennessee
• Indiana
• Arizona
• Minnesota
• Wisconsin
• Missouri
• Connecticut
• South Carolina
• Oregon
• Louisiana
• Alabama
• Kentucky
• Rest of United States

All companies have been covered with 5 Viewpoints

• Overviews
• Key Person
• Recent Developments
• SWOT Analysis
• Revenue Analysis

Key Players Analysis

• GE HealthCare
• Siemens Healthineers AG
• Koninklijke Philips N.V.
• Shimadzu Corp
• United Imaging Healthcare Co., Ltd.
• Bruker Corp
• FUJIFILM Holdings Corp
• Cubresa Inc.