Manchester City Academy player Joe Nuttall played on trial for Norwich's Under-18s against Arsenal in February 2015. On 21st June 2015, he signed a two year contract with Aberdeen saying "It is such an historic club with a fantastic following. I'm really looking forward to what will be an exciting project"

After 12 goals for the Dons' Under-20 side, and two substitute appearances for the first team, the striker joined Stranraer in November 2016. He made an immediate impression, netting in each of this first two starts for the Scottish League One side. Nuttall would go on to make a further eight appearances for Stranraer before ending the 2016-17 season on loan at Scottish Championship side Dunbarton.

On 23rd July 2017, Nuttall moved to Blackburn Rovers. He had scored five goals in two outings for Blackburn's Under-23s on trial. He had previously trialled with AFC Telford. n August 2017, Nuttall made his first team debut as a substitute and scored the winning goal for Blackburn in a 1-0 win over Stoke in the EFL Trophy. On 31 October, Nuttall made his league debut coming on in the second half against Fleetwoord Town and scoring. He scored eight goals in 37 appearances for Blackburn.

Nuttall joined Blackpool from Blackburn in August 2019 and in 2019/20 scored four goals in 33 games, 20 of those coming as a substitute. On 31st August 2020 he was loaned to Northampton for the duration of the 2020/21 season. He made just one appearance for the Cobblers due to a knee injury and returned to Blackpool in October 2020.

Having not played for Blackpool during 2021/22 he transferred to Scunthorpe on 31st January 2022. Nutall and Scunthorpe were relegated from the Football League on 15th April 2022.

On 9th December 2022 he transferred to Oldham Athletic for an undisclosed fee, signing a contract until 2025. He had scored 11 goals in 35 games for Scunthorpe.

He transferred to Cheltenham on loan on 1st February 2024 along with fellow striker Matty Taylor (Forest Green Rovers), defender Jack Shepherd (Barnsley) and midfielder Jordan Thomas (Bath City). Nuttall was in the Cheltenham team that lost 2-1 to Stevenage on the last day of the League One campaign and were relegated.