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The differences between diagnostic radiologic technologists and radiologic 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 diagnostic radiologic technologist and a radiologic technician. Additionally, a diagnostic radiologic technologist has an average salary of $54,476, which is higher than the $50,622 average annual salary of a radiologic technician.
The top three skills for a diagnostic radiologic technologist include patients, ARRT and radiologic technologist. The most important skills for a radiologic technician are patients, ARRT, and radiologic technologist.
| Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist | Radiologic Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $54,476 | $50,622 |
| Hourly rate | $26.19 | $24.34 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 66,721 | 58,797 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 58% | Associate Degree, 69% |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
A diagnostic radiologic technologist specializes in operating radiologic equipment such as X-rays and CAT scans, vital in helping physicians diagnose and treat medical conditions among patients. They function under the supervision of a radiologist, and their responsibilities often include assisting patients by giving them instructions, answering inquiries, helping them understand the procedures, preparing them for what they are about to feel, and making them feel comfortable during the entire process. Moreover, a diagnostic radiologic technologist must maintain an active communication line with team members to deliver efficient and quick results.
A radiologic technician is responsible for testing and treating patients with radiology machines under the assistance of a radiologist. Duties of a radiologic technician include performing radiology procedures, monitoring the equipment's safety and stability, assisting the patients with the guidelines, detecting and resolving possible system malfunctions, and preventing excessive radiation exposure. A radiologic technician must have excellent technical skills and excellent knowledge of the medical industry to support the patients and provide additional assistance.
Diagnostic radiologic technologists and radiologic technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist | Radiologic Technician | |
| Average salary | $54,476 | $50,622 |
| Salary range | Between $33,000 And $89,000 | Between $32,000 And $79,000 |
| Highest paying City | Bakersfield, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Carestream | TALENT Software Services |
| Best paying industry | Government | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a diagnostic radiologic technologist and a radiologic technician in terms of educational background:
| Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist | Radiologic Technician | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 58% | Associate Degree, 69% |
| Most common major | Medical Technician | Medical Technician |
| Most common college | Texas A&M University | Texas A&M University |
Here are the differences between diagnostic radiologic technologists' and radiologic technicians' demographics:
| Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist | Radiologic Technician | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 40.1% Female, 59.9% | Male, 33.9% Female, 66.1% |
| 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, 8.0% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 18.0% Asian, 9.9% White, 58.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 10% |