What is a mammography technician and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted expert

Karen Bubb

A mammography technician performs mammograms, which are X-rays of the breast used to detect early signs of breast cancer. They use specialized equipment to take images of the breast tissue and work with radiologists to interpret results. Mammography technicians position patients and ensure clear and accurate images. They also assist with scheduling appointments, maintaining patient records, and following safety procedures. Mammography technicians help detect breast cancer early, improving their chances of successful treatment and survival.

What general advice would you give to a mammography technician?

Karen Bubb

Department Head, Assistant Professor, Diagnostic Medical Imaging, Oklahoma State University - Oklahoma City

In the fields of Radiologic Technology and Medical Sonography, continuous learning is the key to a long-term career. Never assume you know it all because there is always something new and innovative to learn. New technological advancements are continuously being released and it is vital to keep up with the newest techniques. The more you know and the more relevant you are in the professions; the more employers will seek you out and compensate you for your expertise. Also, do not get into bad habits when it comes to ergonomics. Musculoskeletal injuries are common in sonographers and can ruin a budding career fast.

ScoreMammography TechnicianUS Average

Salary

5.0

Avg. Salary $64,362

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

8.8

Growth rate 6%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

5.6

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.48%

Asian 6.05%

Black or African American 5.39%

Hispanic or Latino 10.19%

Unknown 4.14%

White 73.75%

Gender

female 96.41%

male 3.59%

Age - 43

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 43

Stress level

8.8

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

6.8

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

8.5

Work life balance is excellent

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a mammography technician?

Pros

Competitive salary and job security
Flexible scheduling options, including part-time and weekend work
Constantly developing technical skills and knowledge
Opportunities for advancement and specialization
Job stability due to high demand for mammography services

Cons

Exposure to radiation and potential health risks associated with it
Physically demanding job that involves standing for long periods of time
Occasional difficult or uncooperative patients that may require additional time and effort
Long hours and shift work, including weekends and evenings
Limited opportunities for career advancement beyond management or education roles

Key steps to become a mammography technician

Explore mammography technician education requirements

Most common mammography technician degrees

Associate

70.6 %

Bachelor's

17.0 %

Certificate

7.2 %

Start to develop specific mammography technician skills

Skills	Percentages
Patients	21.63%
ARRT	13.41%
Patient Care	10.53%
Mammography Technologist	7.26%
Customer Service	3.89%

Complete relevant mammography technician training and internships

Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New mammography technicians learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a mammography technician based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real mammography technician resumes.

Obtain the necessary licensing

Becoming a licensed mammography technician usually doesn't require a college degree. However, you need to pass an exam to become a licensed mammography technician in most of states. 32 states require mammography technicians to have license for their work. You can see the list of states below.

State	Education	Exam	License url
Alaska	Specific course required	Third-party exam required	Radiologic Technologists
Arkansas	Degree required	Both state and third-party exams required	Radiologic Technologist (Radiographer)
California	Degree required	Third-party exam required	California Radiologic Technologist (CRT)
Colorado	Specific course required	Third-party exam required	Radiologic Technologists
Connecticut	Specific course required	Third-party exam required	Radiographer

Research mammography technician duties and responsibilities

Identify, prepare and position patients for procedure by using establish diagnostic imaging protocols to achieve the highest quality image.
Analyze images, FRAX, form DXA reports, send exams to PACS, transfer complete reports to RIS.
Perform DXA scans, including LVA.
Perform MRI and mammography exams.

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