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The differences between radio technicians and x-ray technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a radio technician, becoming an x-ray technician takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, an x-ray technician has an average salary of $51,642, which is higher than the $39,253 average annual salary of a radio technician.
The top three skills for a radio technician include RF, test equipment and electronic equipment. The most important skills for an x-ray technician are patients, ARRT, and radiologic technologist.
| Radio Technician | X-Ray Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $39,253 | $51,642 |
| Hourly rate | $18.87 | $24.83 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 27,419 | 60,780 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 40% | Associate Degree, 62% |
| Average age | 45 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 2 |
Radiation therapy technicians are responsible for the administration of targeted radiation treatments to patients. They interact with patients on a regular basis and may combine physical tests with other therapy techniques. It will demand the skills of interpersonal communication, a background in radiology, a detail-oriented personality, and various technical skills.
The job of X-ray technicians, or X-ray technologists, is to detect medical issues that may need urgent medical treatment using cutting-edge imaging methods. The pictures they generate aid physicians in diagnosing and treating injuries and illnesses with better accuracy. They use a wide range of imaging technologies such as the traditional X-ray machines, computerized axial tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging. X-ray technicians may also perform some office work that includes preparing work schedules, managing radiologic departments, and setting up physicians' stations.
Radio technicians and x-ray technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Radio Technician | X-Ray Technician | |
| Average salary | $39,253 | $51,642 |
| Salary range | Between $30,000 And $51,000 | Between $32,000 And $81,000 |
| Highest paying City | Fresno, CA | Fresno, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | University of California, Berkeley | Stability Healthcare |
| Best paying industry | Government | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a radio technician and an x-ray technician in terms of educational background:
| Radio Technician | X-Ray Technician | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 40% | Associate Degree, 62% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Medical Technician |
| Most common college | Northeastern University | Texas A&M University |
Here are the differences between radio technicians' and x-ray technicians' demographics:
| Radio Technician | X-Ray Technician | |
| Average age | 45 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 92.6% Female, 7.4% | Male, 40.3% Female, 59.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 11.8% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 18.5% Asian, 6.5% White, 57.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% | 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 Percentage | 6% | 10% |