Medical imaging technician vs imaging technologist

The differences between medical imaging technicians and imaging technologists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a medical imaging technician, becoming an imaging technologist takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, an imaging technologist has an average salary of $49,786, which is higher than the $49,295 average annual salary of a medical imaging technician.

The top three skills for a medical imaging technician include patients, radiology and patient care. The most important skills for an imaging technologist are patients, patient care, and customer service.

Medical imaging technician vs imaging technologist overview

	Medical Imaging Technician	Imaging Technologist
Yearly salary	$49,295	$49,786
Hourly rate	$23.70	$23.94
Growth rate	6%	6%
Number of jobs	119,068	55,397
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 50%	Bachelor's Degree, 39%
Average age	44	43
Years of experience	12	2

Medical imaging technician vs imaging technologist salary

Medical imaging technicians and imaging technologists have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Medical Imaging Technician	Imaging Technologist
Average salary	$49,295	$49,786
Salary range	Between $30,000 And $80,000	Between $33,000 And $74,000
Highest paying City	-	Los Angeles, CA
Highest paying state	-	Hawaii
Best paying company	-	Apple
Best paying industry	-	Health Care

Differences between medical imaging technician and imaging technologist education

There are a few differences between a medical imaging technician and an imaging technologist in terms of educational background:

	Medical Imaging Technician	Imaging Technologist
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 50%	Bachelor's Degree, 39%
Most common major	Medical Technician	Medical Technician
Most common college	University of Maryland - College Park	Northwestern University

Medical imaging technician vs imaging technologist demographics

Here are the differences between medical imaging technicians' and imaging technologists' demographics:

	Medical Imaging Technician	Imaging Technologist
Average age	44	43
Gender ratio	Male, 39.0% Female, 61.0%	Male, 47.6% Female, 52.4%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 10.4% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.5% Asian, 12.0% White, 54.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%	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 Percentage	8%	8%

Differences between medical imaging technician and imaging technologist duties and responsibilities

Medical imaging technician example responsibilities.

Perform all aspects of lab work done by a small rural hospital including EKG's and ER call.
Participate in surgery setup and injury care by presiding physician on daily basis.
Advocate and represent patients, effectively resolving issues to ensure quality care and excellent patient relations.
Handle and direct incoming correspondence, ensure timely attention to sensitive matters, schedule orders receive and direct patients.
Compose written reports of data collect from patient evaluation and present to department chief for thorough analysis of patient diagnosis.
Perform patient evaluation and procedures utilizing Phillips and OEC fluoroscopy instruments.

Imaging technologist example responsibilities.

Manage a team of ten members in the process of digitizing vital records.
Perform QA on daylight processors.
Limit computed tomography scans to maintain skill.
Diagnose and troubleshoot issues for all clients.
Copy, labele, scan and convert images onto CDs.
Provide ultrasound images and all findings to the tech in charge.

Medical imaging technician vs imaging technologist skills

Common medical imaging technician skills

Patients, 24%
Radiology, 20%
Patient Care, 19%
ARRT, 15%
Radiographic Procedures, 7%
MRI, 4%

Common imaging technologist skills

Patients, 26%
Patient Care, 9%
Customer Service, 7%
MRI, 5%
Radiologic Technologist, 5%
Ultrasound, 5%

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Healthcare Practitioner and Technical Industry
Medical Imaging Technician
Medical Imaging Technician vs Imaging Technologist

Updated January 8, 2025

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