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The differences between cath laboratory radiological technologists and x-ray technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a cath laboratory radiological technologist and an x-ray technician. Additionally, a cath laboratory radiological technologist has an average salary of $60,648, which is higher than the $51,642 average annual salary of an x-ray technician.
The top three skills for a cath laboratory radiological technologist include BLS, cath lab and acls. The most important skills for an x-ray technician are patients, ARRT, and radiologic technologist.
| Cath Laboratory Radiological Technologist | X-Ray Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $60,648 | $51,642 |
| Hourly rate | $29.16 | $24.83 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 90,180 | 60,780 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 63% | Associate Degree, 62% |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
A cath laboratory radiological technologist specializes in operating imaging equipment such as X-ray, MRI, and CT scanners to help physicians in diagnosing and treating health issues among patients. They produce diagnostic images according to protocols, submitting them to the physicians timely and accurately. They are also responsible for assisting patients by preparing them before the procedure, answering inquiries, briefing them on how they would feel during the process, providing step-by-step instructions, and making them feel at ease throughout the test.
The job of X-ray technicians, or X-ray technologists, is to detect medical issues that may need urgent medical treatment using cutting-edge imaging methods. The pictures they generate aid physicians in diagnosing and treating injuries and illnesses with better accuracy. They use a wide range of imaging technologies such as the traditional X-ray machines, computerized axial tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging. X-ray technicians may also perform some office work that includes preparing work schedules, managing radiologic departments, and setting up physicians' stations.
Cath laboratory radiological technologists and x-ray technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Cath Laboratory Radiological Technologist | X-Ray Technician | |
| Average salary | $60,648 | $51,642 |
| Salary range | Between $29,000 And $126,000 | Between $32,000 And $81,000 |
| Highest paying City | Modesto, CA | Fresno, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Accountable Healthcare Holdings Corp. | Stability Healthcare |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a cath laboratory radiological technologist and an x-ray technician in terms of educational background:
| Cath Laboratory Radiological Technologist | X-Ray Technician | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 63% | Associate Degree, 62% |
| Most common major | Medical Technician | Medical Technician |
| Most common college | Texas A&M University | Texas A&M University |
Here are the differences between cath laboratory radiological technologists' and x-ray technicians' demographics:
| Cath Laboratory Radiological Technologist | X-Ray Technician | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 49.5% Female, 50.5% | Male, 40.3% Female, 59.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 5.4% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 10.2% Asian, 6.0% White, 73.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% | Black or African American, 10.3% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 17.7% Asian, 9.3% White, 57.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 10% |