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Ct technologist vs diagnostic technician

The differences between ct technologists and diagnostic 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 ct technologist and a diagnostic technician. Additionally, a ct technologist has an average salary of $65,152, which is higher than the $49,571 average annual salary of a diagnostic technician.

The top three skills for a ct technologist include patients, CT and ARRT. The most important skills for a diagnostic technician are patients, patient care, and CPR.

Ct technologist vs diagnostic technician overview

CT TechnologistDiagnostic Technician
Yearly salary$65,152$49,571
Hourly rate$31.32$23.83
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs71,12170,089
Job satisfaction5-
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 64%Associate Degree, 41%
Average age4343
Years of experience22

What does a ct technologist do?

A CT Technologist's role involves the use of computerized tomography (CT) scanners to diagnose patients' medical issues. This process consists of producing cross-section images of internal organs and tissues.

What does a diagnostic technician do?

Diagnostic Technicians are specialists in the inspecting, maintenance, and repair of equipment or service. Diagnostic Technicians can be working in the automotive sector, inspecting and repairing cars, to performing ultrasound procedures in the healthcare industry. Their duties include analyzing and collecting data, calibrating equipment, performing diagnostic tests and repairs, and organizing work records and reports. A Diagnostic Technician must have sound knowledge in using technical equipment and adheres to safety regulations when handling any tools.

Ct technologist vs diagnostic technician salary

Ct technologists and diagnostic technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

CT TechnologistDiagnostic Technician
Average salary$65,152$49,571
Salary rangeBetween $37,000 And $112,000Between $31,000 And $77,000
Highest paying CityLos Angeles, CAFresno, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaCalifornia
Best paying companySiemens HealthineersWaymo
Best paying industryHealth CareTelecommunication

Differences between ct technologist and diagnostic technician education

There are a few differences between a ct technologist and a diagnostic technician in terms of educational background:

CT TechnologistDiagnostic Technician
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 64%Associate Degree, 41%
Most common majorMedical TechnicianMedical Technician
Most common collegeTexas A&M UniversityCalifornia State University - Long Beach

Ct technologist vs diagnostic technician demographics

Here are the differences between ct technologists' and diagnostic technicians' demographics:

CT TechnologistDiagnostic Technician
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 42.7% Female, 57.3%Male, 66.0% Female, 34.0%
Race ratioBlack 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, 5.4% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 10.2% Asian, 6.0% White, 73.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between ct technologist and diagnostic technician duties and responsibilities

Ct technologist example responsibilities.

  • Manage IP office call recordings.
  • Experience professional whose skill set has culminate in facilitating all radiology examinations and managing a team of radiology professionals.
  • Perform iv injections, stress testing, ekg, bone density, ct and nuclear mead safety.
  • Perform competitive analysis (UNIX vs. Linux, SPARC vs. x86/AMD) to drive product enhancements with application/system profiling.
  • Experience with 3D MPR's, CTA's, CCTA's, and MIP's.
  • Complete breast imaging, MRCP and MRA'S of the head, neck, abdomen, and extremities.
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Diagnostic technician example responsibilities.

  • Establish work procedures for the radiology staff.
  • Perform EKG testing on both inpatients and outpatients.
  • Assist in daily maintenance and troubleshooting of PACS.
  • Perform RNA and DNA extraction by using Qiagen kit.
  • Perform cardiology and EKG procedures as directed by medical staff.
  • Operated/Manage ECG, a, and DCG as needed per MD orders.
  • Show more

Ct technologist vs diagnostic technician skills

Common ct technologist skills
  • Patients, 18%
  • CT, 15%
  • ARRT, 11%
  • Tomography, 5%
  • CPR, 5%
  • Ct Scan, 5%
Common diagnostic technician skills
  • Patients, 27%
  • Patient Care, 16%
  • CPR, 13%
  • Radiology, 7%
  • Diagnosis, 4%
  • EEG, 2%

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