Radiologic Technologists and Technicians earn a median of $80,110 per year ($38.52/hr) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Employment is projected to grow 5.0% through 2035, with about 13,000 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: Associate's degree.
- SOC 29-2034
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Last updated October 15, 2026
At a glance
Radiologic Technologist and Technician in four numbers
- Median pay
- $80,110a year, or $38.52/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $56KTop 10% $119K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +5.0%Faster than averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+5%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +5% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 13,000234,200 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 2025234.2K
- Projected 2035246K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 234.2K Projected 2035 246K - Typical education
- Associate'sneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
Also advertised as: CT Tech (Computed Tomography Technologist), Mammographer, Multimodality Technologist, Radiographer, Radiologic Technician (RAD Tech), Radiology Technician (Radiology Tech).
Pay
How much do radiologic technologists and technicians make?
Radiologic Technologists and Technicians earn a median of $80,110 a year ($38.52 an hour, or about $6,680 a month); the lowest-paid 10% earn less than $55,980 and the top 10% more than $118,660 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
The best-paying state is California, with a median of $121,260. See Radiologic technologist and technician salary in California and every other state. By city, pay is highest around San Jose ($151,170 average): salary in every city. Choosing between jobs? Compare pay side by side in Radiology Tech vs Ultrasound Tech.
Every radiologic technologist and technician in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$80,110
Middle half earn $64,810 to $98,750
- 10th
- $55,980
- 25th
- $64,810
- 75th
- $98,750
- 90th
- $118,660
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $55,980 |
| 25th | $64,810 |
| Median | $80,110 |
| 75th | $98,750 |
| 90th | $118,660 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $80,110
- Median hourly wage
- $38.52/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $83,840
- People employed
- 230,490
Versus all US occupations
At $80,110, Radiologic Technologists and Technicians earn 57% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $29,130 a year.
Versus healthcare practitioners and technical occupations
Inside the Healthcare Practitioners and Technical group, where the middle occupation pays $102,760, this is 22% below the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $118,660 or more while the bottom 10% earn $55,980, a gap of 2.1×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 59% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
California pays the most at $121,260, and still leads at $109,520 once local prices are taken into account.
Pay by state
Which states pay radiologic technologists and technicians the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1California | $121,260 | $109,520 | 20,900 |
| 2Massachusetts | $103,620 | $97,979 | 5,500 |
| 3District of Columbia | $102,770 | $93,511 | 660 |
| 4Oregon | $102,290 | $98,964 | 2,700 |
| 5Washington | $102,090 | $95,400 | 4,130 |
| 6Hawaii | $101,700 | $92,496 | 690 |
| 7Alaska | $98,920 | $96,640 | 370 |
| 8New York | $98,470 | $91,243 | 13,450 |
| 9New Jersey | $95,000 | $87,312 | 6,320 |
| 10Vermont | $94,540 | $96,511 | 470 |
Job outlook
Is radiologic technologist and technician a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Faster than average. +5.0% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | +5% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Faster than average
BLS projects employment of Radiologic Technologists and Technicians to change 5.0% over 2025–2035, against 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 11,800 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 13,000 openings are projected each year, 5.6% of the 234,200 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Overall employment of radiologic and MRI technologists is projected to grow 5 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations.
Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
The growing size of the older population and the rising prevalence of chronic disease will lead to greater demand for healthcare services, including diagnostic procedures. More radiologic and MRI technologists will be needed to perform the imaging exams that are essential for making diagnoses and creating treatment plans.
Falls and associated injuries, such as broken bones or head trauma, are common in older people and require x rays or computed tomography (CT) scans to assess the extent of harm. In addition, MRI scans are useful for imaging various types of cancers, including of the brain, spine, and liver. As the number of falls and cancer cases rises, these technologists and technicians will be needed to operate the equipment that helps detect, assess, and diagnose these injuries and diseases.
AI exposure: moderate
BLS places this occupation in its moderate relative AI exposure category, below the middle of the pack: some of the work overlaps with what AI can do, much of it does not.
Getting in
How to become a radiologic technologist and technician
Most states require radiologic technologists to be licensed or certified, and requirements vary by state. The usual route is an associate degree plus an ARRT-approved educational program in radiography, then the ARRT certification exam; employers typically require or prefer certified technologists even where the state does not.
The credential path, step by step
- Complete an ARRT-approved educational program in radiography
The program must be in the same discipline as the credential you are pursuing, and you must demonstrate the didactic and clinical competencies ARRT specifies. Your program director confirms to ARRT that you met the requirements. JRCERT is the only U.S. Department of Education-recognized accreditor for radiography programs.
- Earn an associate degree or higher
ARRT requires an associate (or more advanced) degree from an institution accredited by an ARRT-recognized agency before you take the examination. The degree does not have to be in the radiologic sciences and can be earned before or after the radiologic sciences program.
- Meet ARRT's ethics requirement
Ethics is one of ARRT's three initial requirements alongside education and examination; ARRT reviews criminal and professional conduct history, with a preapplication route for candidates with a potential violation.
- Pass the ARRT certification examination in Radiography
You have three years after completing your educational program to establish eligibility and apply for ARRT certification and registration.
- Obtain a state license where your state requires one
More than 75% of states have licensing laws covering radiologic technology. You apply to the state directly and must meet that state's own requirements, which are separate from ARRT's. Some states require ARRT certification as a condition of the license; some administer ARRT-written exams for licensing purposes.
- Keep the credential current
Report 24 approved continuing education credits every two-year biennium to maintain ARRT certification and registration.
Exams you have to pass
ARRT certification examination in Radiography
The final of ARRT's three initial requirements (education, ethics, examination). It measures the knowledge of the daily tasks an entry-level medical imaging professional performs, following ARRT's published content specifications. ARRT also develops and administers separate exams used purely for state licensing, including Limited Scope of Practice in Radiography and Fluoroscopy.
Administered by American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT).
- How long the training takes
About 2 years
An associate degree is the education typically required, and ARRT requires an associate degree or higher, from an institution accredited by an ARRT-recognized agency, before you can sit its examination. Postsecondary programs also lead to graduate certificates or bachelor's degrees in healthcare and related fields and in science technologies.
- Continuing education
Required to stay credentialed
ARRT requires most Registered Technologists to earn and report 24 approved continuing education credits each two-year biennium, regardless of how many ARRT credentials they hold. Credits cannot be carried forward from one biennium to the next. State license renewal carries separate requirements.
- Program accreditation
JRCERT · Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology
JRCERT is the only agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education for accrediting educational programs in radiography, radiation therapy, magnetic resonance, and medical dosimetry. Note the distinction: ARRT's own requirement is that you complete an 'ARRT-approved educational program' and hold a degree from an institution accredited by an ARRT-recognized agency; BLS says only that some states require candidates for licensure to complete an accredited program. Programmatic accreditation is therefore the standard route rather than a single universal legal requirement.
Licensing and state variation
Licensed state by state
Most, but not all, states license or certify radiologic technologists. ARRT states that more than 75% of states have licensing laws covering the practice of radiologic technology; in those states you must hold the state license before you can work. Some but not all of those states require ARRT certification and registration as a condition of licensure, and requirements otherwise vary. Earning an ARRT credential does not by itself make you eligible to work in a particular state. Contact the state's health board. Note also that few states require licensure specifically for MRI technologists.
Who governs the credential
- American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT)
The national credentialing organization for medical imaging and radiation therapy: it sets the education, ethics, and examination requirements for certification and registration, administers the exams, and runs continuing education requirements. Many states use ARRT exam scores and credentials when making licensing decisions, and many ask ARRT to administer their state licensing exams.
Credential detail for radiologic technologist and technicians is researched by hand from the bodies that issue it, not derived from BLS or O*NET. Sources last checked August 23, 2026. Requirements change: confirm with your own state board before enrolling in anything.
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook — Radiologic and MRI Technologists · checked August 23, 2026
- ARRT — State Licensing · checked August 23, 2026
- ARRT — Education Requirements, Primary Eligibility Pathway · checked August 23, 2026
- ARRT — Initial Requirements for Earning ARRT Credentials · checked August 23, 2026
- ARRT — Biennial CE Requirements · checked August 23, 2026
- Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology — home page · checked August 23, 2026
What the federal data says
Radiologic technologists and MRI technologists typically need an associate’s degree. MRI technologists may start out as radiologic technologists. Most states require radiologic technologists to be licensed or certified, but few states require licensure for MRI technologists. Regardless of state requirements, employers typically require or prefer to hire technologists who are certified.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
Associate's degree
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
None
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Medium preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
Full BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entryThe work
What does a radiologic technologist and technician do?
Take x-rays and CAT scans or administer nonradioactive materials into patient's bloodstream for diagnostic or research purposes. Includes radiologic technologists and technicians who specialize in other scanning modalities.
Radiologic technologists, also known as radiographers, perform x rays and other diagnostic imaging examinations on patients. MRI technologists operate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners to create diagnostic images.
Day-to-day tasks
- Explain procedures and observe patients to ensure safety and comfort during scan.
- Record, process, and maintain patient data or treatment records and prepare reports.
- Prepare contrast material, radiopharmaceuticals, or anesthetic or antispasmodic drugs under the direction of a radiologist.
- Complete quality control activities, monitor equipment operation, and report malfunctioning equipment to supervisor.
- Position patient on examining table and set up and adjust equipment to obtain optimum view of specific body area as requested by physician.
- Review and evaluate developed x-rays, video tape, or computer-generated information to determine if images are satisfactory for diagnostic purposes.
- Use radiation safety measures and protection devices to comply with government regulations and to ensure safety of patients and staff.
- Operate or oversee operation of radiologic or magnetic imaging equipment to produce images of the body for diagnostic purposes.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Most radiologic and MRI technologists work full time. Because imaging is sometimes needed in emergency situations, some technologists work evenings, weekends, or overnight.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayIndoors, in a climate-controlled space, every day.
Outdoors in all weather
NeverEvery dayAlmost never works outdoors.
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantConstant contact with other people.
Face-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayFace-to-face discussions every day.
Dealing with the public
Not importantExtremely importantDealing with customers or the public is very important.
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayMeeting strict deadlines at least weekly.
Conflict situations
NeverEvery dayHandling conflict situations at least monthly.
Cost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely seriousMistakes carry very serious consequences.
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lot
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Where radiologic technologists and technicians work
Share of jobs by employer type
- Hospitals; state, local, and private61%
- Medical and diagnostic laboratories17%
- Offices of physicians14%
- Outpatient care centers3%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Hospitals; state, local, and private | 61% |
| Medical and diagnostic laboratories | 17% |
| Offices of physicians | 14% |
| Outpatient care centers | 3% |
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Reading Comprehension3.8
- Active Listening3.8
- Speaking3.4
- Critical Thinking3.3
- Monitoring3.3
- Writing3.0
- Active Learning2.9
- Learning Strategies2.6
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 3.8 |
| Active Listening | 3.8 |
| Speaking | 3.4 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.3 |
| Monitoring | 3.3 |
| Writing | 3.0 |
| Active Learning | 2.9 |
| Learning Strategies | 2.6 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Social Perceptiveness3.5
- Service Orientation3.5
- Operations Monitoring3.1
- Operation and Control3.1
- Coordination3.0
- Quality Control Analysis3.0
- Judgment and Decision Making3.0
- Time Management3.0
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.5 |
| Service Orientation | 3.5 |
| Operations Monitoring | 3.1 |
| Operation and Control | 3.1 |
| Coordination | 3.0 |
| Quality Control Analysis | 3.0 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.0 |
| Time Management | 3.0 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Medical software · in demand
- Object or component oriented development software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Categorization or classification software
- Data base user interface and query software
- Information retrieval or search software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
The workforce
Who works as a radiologic technologist and technician?
Women make up 65.7% of radiologic technologists and technicians, against 47.1% of all employed people: more women than in the workforce as a whole.
23.0% are 55 or older, close to the 23.2% across all jobs.
The median worker is 41.5 years old (all workers: 42.1).
- Women
- 65.7%All workers 47.1% · BLS CPS, 2025
- Median age
- 41.5All workers 42.1 · BLS CPS, 2025
- Aged 55+
- 23.0%All workers 23.2% · BLS CPS, 2025
- Employed (CPS)
- 274,000BLS CPS, 2025
| Group | Share of radiologic technologists and technicians | All employed people |
|---|---|---|
| Women | 65.7% | 47.1% |
| White | 81.5% | 75.7% |
| Black or African American | 7.7% | 12.7% |
| Asian | 8.1% | 7.5% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 13.7% | 20.0% |
| Aged 55 and over | 23.0% | 23.2% |
| Aged 16 to 24 | 8.0% | 12.2% |
Current Population Survey annual averages, 2025 (BLS tables 11 and 11b). Race groups can overlap with Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, so they do not sum to 100%.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a radiologic technologist and technician?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Radiologic Technologist and Technician |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 6 |
| Investigative | 5 |
| Artistic | 1 |
| Social | 3 |
| Enterprising | 1 |
| Conventional | 5 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors, combined with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data.
- Realistic5.9
- Conventional5.1
- Investigative4.9
- Social3.4
- Artistic1.0
- Enterprising1.0
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Radiologic Technologist and Technician
Radiologic Technologist and Technician compared with
O*NET related occupations
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
Cardiovascular Technologist and Technician
$74,310median a year
Most earn $39K to $121K
+3.7%Associate's - Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
More healthcare practitioners and technical careers
Median annual pay, with radiologic technologists and technicians highlighted
- Anesthesiologist$391,490
- Physician Assistant$135,880
- Nurse Practitioner$132,300
- Physical Therapist$102,760
- Dental Hygienist$98,100
- Diagnostic Medical Sonographer$96,590
- Radiologic Technologist and Technician$80,110
- Surgical Technologist$64,650
- Pharmacy Technician$45,750
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Anesthesiologist | $391,490 |
| Physician Assistant | $135,880 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $132,300 |
| Physical Therapist | $102,760 |
| Dental Hygienist | $98,100 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $96,590 |
| Radiologic Technologist and Technician | $80,110 |
| Surgical Technologist | $64,650 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $45,750 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Specialty careers within radiologic technologist and technician
Distinct careers BLS counts inside this occupation, each with its own profile.
Lists Radiologic Technologist and Technician appears on
Questions
Radiologic Technologist and Technician: frequently asked questions
How much do radiologic technologists and technicians make?
Radiologic Technologists and Technicians earn a median of $80,110 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). That is 57% above the $50,980 median for all US occupations. That works out at $38.52/hr. The middle half earn between $64,810 and $98,750. The top 10% earn $118,660 or more.
How much do radiologic technologists and technicians make an hour?
The median hourly wage for radiologic technologists and technicians is $38.52 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). On a full-year basis the $80,110 annual median works out to about $6,680 a month before tax.
What is the starting salary for a radiologic technologist and technician?
BLS does not publish a starting salary. The nearest measure is the low end of the pay range: the lowest-paid 10% of radiologic technologists and technicians earn less than $55,980 a year and the bottom quarter less than $64,810 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). New workers often start near that end, but where a particular job starts depends on the employer, the state and the credentials you bring, so read these as the bottom of the range rather than a guaranteed entry wage.
Do radiologic technologists and technicians make $100k?
A minority do. $100,000 sits between the 75th percentile ($98,750) and the 90th ($118,660), so roughly 10% to 25% of radiologic technologists and technicians earn more than that (BLS OEWS, May 2025). In 6 states the median itself is above $100,000: California ($121,260), Massachusetts ($103,620), District of Columbia ($102,770), Oregon ($102,290), and 2 more.
Which states pay radiologic technologists and technicians the most?
The highest state medians for Radiologic Technologists and Technicians are California ($121,260), Massachusetts ($103,620), District of Columbia ($102,770) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What kind of radiologic technologist and technician earns the most?
BLS does not split radiologic technologists and technicians' pay by specialty or employer, but its range shows how far the top end runs: the highest-paid 10% earn more than $118,660, against a median of $80,110 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Location moves pay the most in the published data: the best-paying states are California ($121,260), Massachusetts ($103,620), District of Columbia ($102,770). BLS also counts 2 specialty careers inside this occupation (interventional radiology technologist, radiologist assistant), which share its federal pay figures.
Do you need a degree to become a radiologic technologist and technician?
Usually a two-year degree rather than a four-year one. BLS lists an associate's degree as the typical entry-level education for Radiologic Technologists and Technicians.
Is radiologic technologist and technician a growing career?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 5.0% over 2025–2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 13,000 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a radiologic technologist and technician do?
Radiologic technologists, also known as radiographers, perform x rays and other diagnostic imaging examinations on patients. A core O*NET task: explain procedures and observe patients to ensure safety and comfort during scan. Employers most often ask for Electronic mail software, Medical software, Object or component oriented development software.
Do radiologic technologists and technicians work 40 hours a week?
Yes, for most. In O*NET's survey of people in the job, 29% of radiologic technologists and technicians usually work more than 40 hours a week, 71% work exactly 40 and 0% work fewer. 86% say their schedule is regular and 14% irregular. Source: O*NET 31.0 Database, Work Context.
What personality type suits a radiologic technologist and technician?
O*NET scores Radiologic Technologists and Technicians highest on the Realistic, Conventional and Investigative interest areas, so the work mixes hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping that lines up most closely with ISTJ personalities. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.
How long does it take to become a radiologic technologist and technician?
About 2 years. An associate degree is the education typically required, and ARRT requires an associate degree or higher, from an institution accredited by an ARRT-recognized agency, before you can sit its examination. Postsecondary programs also lead to graduate certificates or bachelor's degrees in healthcare and related fields and in science technologies.
Do you need a license to work as a radiologic technologist and technician?
Yes, and it is issued by the state you work in, not nationally. Most, but not all, states license or certify radiologic technologists. ARRT states that more than 75% of states have licensing laws covering the practice of radiologic technology; in those states you must hold the state license before you can work. Some but not all of those states require ARRT certification and registration as a condition of licensure, and requirements otherwise vary. Earning an ARRT credential does not by itself make you eligible to work in a particular state. Contact the state's health board. Note also that few states require licensure specifically for MRI technologists.
What exams do you have to pass to become a radiologic technologist and technician?
The ARRT certification examination in Radiography. The final of ARRT's three initial requirements (education, ethics, examination). It measures the knowledge of the daily tasks an entry-level medical imaging professional performs, following ARRT's published content specifications. ARRT also develops and administers separate exams used purely for state licensing, including Limited Scope of Practice in Radiography and Fluoroscopy.
What percentage of radiologic technologists and technicians are women?
Women make up 65.7% of radiologic technologists and technicians, against 47.1% of all employed people: more women than in the workforce as a whole. 23.0% are 55 or older, close to the 23.2% across all jobs. The median worker is 41.5 years old (all workers: 42.1). Source: BLS Current Population Survey, 2025 annual averages.