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Radio frequency technician vs radiologic technician

The differences between radio frequency technicians and radiologic technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a radio frequency technician, becoming a radiologic technician takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a radiologic technician has an average salary of $50,622, which is higher than the $47,568 average annual salary of a radio frequency technician.

The top three skills for a radio frequency technician include test equipment, troubleshoot and power meters. The most important skills for a radiologic technician are patients, ARRT, and radiologic technologist.

Radio frequency technician vs radiologic technician overview

Radio Frequency TechnicianRadiologic Technician
Yearly salary$47,568$50,622
Hourly rate$22.87$24.34
Growth rate8%6%
Number of jobs3,62658,797
Job satisfaction3-
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 49%Associate Degree, 69%
Average age4543
Years of experience42

What does a radio frequency technician do?

A radio frequency technician specializes in installing and repairing wireless communication systems. In a company setting, their responsibilities include coordinating with staff to identify needs, assessing existing facilities to learn its strengths and weaknesses, implementing solutions on problem areas, and performing regular maintenance checks, conducting corrective measures, and adjustments as needed. They may also develop upgrades on systems to optimize procedures, ensuring efficiency and smooth workflow. Furthermore, as a radio frequency technician, it is essential to provide technical support, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.

What does a radiologic technician do?

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.

Radio frequency technician vs radiologic technician salary

Radio frequency technicians and radiologic technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Radio Frequency TechnicianRadiologic Technician
Average salary$47,568$50,622
Salary rangeBetween $34,000 And $66,000Between $32,000 And $79,000
Highest paying CityFremont, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateAlaskaCalifornia
Best paying companyMetaTALENT Software Services
Best paying industryManufacturingHealth Care

Differences between radio frequency technician and radiologic technician education

There are a few differences between a radio frequency technician and a radiologic technician in terms of educational background:

Radio Frequency TechnicianRadiologic Technician
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 49%Associate Degree, 69%
Most common majorElectrical EngineeringMedical Technician
Most common collegeInter American University of Puerto Rico BayamonTexas A&M University

Radio frequency technician vs radiologic technician demographics

Here are the differences between radio frequency technicians' and radiologic technicians' demographics:

Radio Frequency TechnicianRadiologic Technician
Average age4543
Gender ratioMale, 91.8% Female, 8.2%Male, 33.9% Female, 66.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.6% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 18.5% Asian, 6.3% White, 59.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%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 Percentage6%10%

Differences between radio frequency technician and radiologic technician duties and responsibilities

Radio frequency technician example responsibilities.

  • Install, configure, upgrade, and manage Cisco routers and switches daily.
  • Process improvement efforts and/or other opportunities to automate these processes with computer applications with C++ and/or Java where applicable.
  • Install Nortel CDMA equipment throughout Kansas.
  • Maintain and repair Nortel TDMA equipment.
  • Install and maintain GSM and UMTS equipment.
  • Repair stocked or customer-own Motorola, Samsung, Nokia and other cellular brand equipment.
  • Show more

Radiologic technician example responsibilities.

  • Manage imaging databases and relate processes including image file compression and EMR implementations.
  • Accomplish surgical studies utilizing a portable c-arm digital fluoroscopic machine under the direction of a physician.
  • Perform general radiography, fluoroscopy, compute tomography and work in the operating room.
  • Handle both inpatients and outpatients of all ages.
  • Have worked with traditional x-ray systems as well as DR and CR.
  • Attend yearly CPR re-certification classes in addition to maintaining continuing education points for ARRT and IEMA.
  • Show more

Radio frequency technician vs radiologic technician skills

Common radio frequency technician skills
  • Test Equipment, 11%
  • Troubleshoot, 10%
  • Power Meters, 5%
  • RF Gun, 5%
  • Microwave, 5%
  • Test Procedures, 4%
Common radiologic technician skills
  • Patients, 24%
  • ARRT, 11%
  • Radiologic Technologist, 7%
  • CPR, 5%
  • Pacs, 4%
  • ALARA, 2%

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