Radiography technician vs imaging technologist

The differences between radiography technicians and imaging technologists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a radiography technician and an imaging technologist. Additionally, a radiography technician has an average salary of $56,665, which is higher than the $49,786 average annual salary of an imaging technologist.

The top three skills for a radiography technician include patients, ARRT and radiographic images. The most important skills for an imaging technologist are patients, patient care, and customer service.

Radiography technician vs imaging technologist overview

	Radiography Technician	Imaging Technologist
Yearly salary	$56,665	$49,786
Hourly rate	$27.24	$23.94
Growth rate	6%	6%
Number of jobs	29,750	55,397
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 66%	Bachelor's Degree, 39%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	2	2

Radiography technician vs imaging technologist salary

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

	Radiography Technician	Imaging Technologist
Average salary	$56,665	$49,786
Salary range	Between $29,000 And $109,000	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 radiography technician and imaging technologist education

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

	Radiography Technician	Imaging Technologist
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 66%	Bachelor's Degree, 39%
Most common major	Military Technology	Medical Technician
Most common college	University of Southern California	Northwestern University

Radiography technician vs imaging technologist demographics

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

	Radiography Technician	Imaging Technologist
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 40.7% Female, 59.3%	Male, 47.6% Female, 52.4%
Race ratio	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%	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 radiography technician and imaging technologist duties and responsibilities

Radiography technician example responsibilities.

Manage imaging databases and relate processes including image file compression and EMR implementations.
Used OEC c-arm, used PACS, CR and teleradiography.
Operate GE c-arm to assist doctors with orthopedic, vascular, and pain management surgery in the operating room.
Perform diagnostic imaging during nerve block and surgical procedures in outpatient surgery center.
Conform to the principles of ALARA.
Schedule MRI's and obtain accurate medical information prior to the procedure.

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.

Radiography technician vs imaging technologist skills

Common radiography technician skills

Patients, 49%
ARRT, 28%
Radiographic Images, 3%
Radiographic Equipment, 3%
Surgery, 2%
Radiographic Procedures, 2%

Common imaging technologist skills

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

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Radiography Technician
Radiography Technician vs Imaging Technologist

Updated January 8, 2025

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