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Digital imager vs x-ray technician

The differences between digital imagers 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 digital imager and an x-ray technician. Additionally, an x-ray technician has an average salary of $51,642, which is higher than the $46,765 average annual salary of a digital imager.

The top three skills for a digital imager include digital images, adobe photoshop and digital photography. The most important skills for an x-ray technician are patients, ARRT, and radiologic technologist.

Digital imager vs x-ray technician overview

Digital ImagerX-Ray Technician
Yearly salary$46,765$51,642
Hourly rate$22.48$24.83
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs16,04360,780
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Associate Degree, 62%
Average age4343
Years of experience22

Digital imager vs x-ray technician salary

Digital imagers and x-ray technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Digital ImagerX-Ray Technician
Average salary$46,765$51,642
Salary rangeBetween $25,000 And $86,000Between $32,000 And $81,000
Highest paying City-Fresno, CA
Highest paying state-California
Best paying company-Stability Healthcare
Best paying industry-Health Care

Differences between digital imager and x-ray technician education

There are a few differences between a digital imager and an x-ray technician in terms of educational background:

Digital ImagerX-Ray Technician
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Associate Degree, 62%
Most common majorPhotographyMedical Technician
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityTexas A&M University

Digital imager vs x-ray technician demographics

Here are the differences between digital imagers' and x-ray technicians' demographics:

Digital ImagerX-Ray Technician
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 65.2% Female, 34.8%Male, 40.3% Female, 59.7%
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, 10.3% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 17.7% Asian, 9.3% White, 57.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage8%10%

Differences between digital imager and x-ray technician duties and responsibilities

Digital imager example responsibilities.

  • Coordinate and manage a team of photographers who work on NBA games throughout the league.
  • Color correct images for RGB and CMYK output.
  • Design, simulate and layout of 1kb SRAM using TSMC 100nm technology.
  • Used Photoshop to retouch large quantities of images and proofread class composite notations.
  • Perform artifact retouching, logo removal, image restoration, clipping paths, and compositing.
  • Store an image in the 1kb SRAM and apply noise removal algorithm to enhance the image.
  • Show more

X-ray technician example responsibilities.

  • Manage day-to-day operation of PACS equipment including image archiving.
  • Train personnel in triage, first aid, and CPR.
  • Put patients into rooms, pull charts, and learned EMR as the office transition to electronic records.
  • Input patient information in to the EMR, room patients, assist the doctor in all in office procedures.
  • Provide mobile x-rays and EKG's for nursing homes, state hospital, and patients unable to leave their homes.
  • Produce quality images using c-arm during surgical procedures.
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Digital imager vs x-ray technician skills

Common digital imager skills
  • Digital Images, 25%
  • Adobe Photoshop, 24%
  • Digital Photography, 14%
  • Web Site, 10%
  • Graphic Design, 8%
  • Color Correction, 7%
Common x-ray technician skills
  • Patients, 22%
  • ARRT, 9%
  • Radiologic Technologist, 6%
  • CPR, 5%
  • Customer Service, 5%
  • Pacs, 3%

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