Do radiology techs make good money?

Yes, radiology technicians make good money. The median annual wage for radiologic technologists and technicians is around $62,000 a year. The lowest ten percent earn around $42,000 a year, while the highest ten percent earn over $92,000 a year.

How long does it take to become a radiologist technician?

It typically takes around two years to become a radiologist technician. While it is possible to complete the required courses and qualifications in less than two years, this is uncommon.

Is being a radiology tech a good career?

Yes, being a radiology technician is a good career. A career in this field requires nominal training and provides both rewarding work and salary. A radiology technician typically works with skilled medical professionals and uses imaging technology to identify bone fractures and other internal injuries or ailments. Unlike a radiologist, technicians can begin work in the field after only two years of training. Most technicians graduate with a certificate or degree from two-year associate programs, with some earning four-year degrees.

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

The pros and cons of being a radiology technician include using state-of-the-art equipment to help save people's lives but at the cost of radiation exposure and not a lot of room for career advancement.

Radiology Technician vs. Technologist

A radiology technician operates and works on radiology equipment, while a technologist uses radiology equipment to perform diagnostic tests. A radiology technician uses radiology equipment to take scans but they have no involvement in analyzing or interpreting the scans. They are responsible for shielding patients from unnecessary exposure during a procedure, explaining the process to patients, and moving the equipment for best exposure.

What is a radiologic technician and how to become one

Updated June 25, 2024

5 min read

Quoted Expert

Karen Bubb

A radiologic technician is a healthcare professional who uses imaging equipment to capture images of patients' internal structures. They work in hospitals, clinics, and diagnostic imaging centers. Radiologic technicians are responsible for operating X-ray machines, CT scanners, and MRI machines. They also prepare patients for imaging procedures, maintain equipment, and ensure that safety protocols are followed. They work with radiologists and other healthcare professionals to interpret images and provide accurate diagnoses.

What general advice would you give to a Radiologic 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.

How long does it takes to become a radiologic technician?

It typically takes 2-4 years to become a radiologic technician:

Years 1-2: Completing an associate degree in radiologic technology or a related field.
Year 3: Gaining 1-2 years of work experience in radiologic technology duties, such as operating imaging equipment, positioning patients, and maintaining patient records.
Year 4: Receiving less than 1 month of on-site and on-the-job training to learn about specific procedures and equipment.

ScoreRadiologic TechnicianUS Average

Salary

4.0

Avg. Salary $50,622

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level

7.9

Growth Rate 6%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity

7.2

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.73%

Asian 9.86%

Black or African American 8.03%

Hispanic or Latino 17.95%

Unknown 5.08%

White 58.34%

Gender

female 66.07%

male 33.93%

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

7.9

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity Level

7.8

Complexity Level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance

9.4

Work Life balance is excellent

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a Radiologic Technician?

Pros

High demand
Good salary and benefits
Opportunity for career advancement
Ability to work in a variety of settings
Job security

Cons

Exposure to radiation
Physical demands of the job, including standing for long periods of time and moving patients
Emotionally demanding work, dealing with sick or injured patients
High stress and pressure to perform accurately
Shift work and weekend/holiday scheduling

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Radiologic Technician career paths

Radiologic technicians often move on to become laboratory technicians, team leaders, or registered nurses. Some also take on roles like office managers, practice managers, or case managers. Others specialize in roles like CT technologists, nuclear medicine technologists, or radiation therapists. Some even move into leadership positions like program directors, clinical directors, or administrative directors.

Key steps to become a radiologic technician

Explore radiologic technician education requirements

Most common radiologic technician degrees

Associate

68.8 %

Bachelor's

19.9 %

Certificate

3.9 %

Start to develop specific radiologic technician skills

Radiologic technicians need to practice radiation protection in accordance with established regulatory agency requirements, following the principle of ALARA. They must also provide diagnostic imaging, perform radiographic procedures, and manage imaging databases. These professionals must maintain comfort and safety for patients while ensuring top-quality images and efficient delivery.

Skills	Percentages
Patients	23.57%
ARRT	11.24%
Radiologic Technologist	7.37%
CPR	5.30%
Pacs	4.13%

Complete relevant radiologic technician training and internships

Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New radiologic 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 radiologic technician based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real radiologic technician resumes.

Obtain the necessary licensing

Becoming a licensed radiologic technician usually doesn't require a college degree. However, you need to pass an exam to become a licensed radiologic technician in most of states. 32 states require radiologic 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

Gain additional radiologic technician certifications

Radiologic technician certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific radiologic technician certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

The most common certifications for radiologic technicians include Certified Radiological Technologist and Certified Radiology Administrator (CRA).

More About Certifications

Research radiologic technician duties and responsibilities

Radiologic technicians practice radiation protection and provide diagnostic imaging, EKG, and general laboratory procedures for patients. They manage imaging databases, complete mandatory education and CPR certification, and perform a variety of technical procedures requiring independent judgment, ingenuity, and initiative. They also maintain equipment in good condition, secure industrial radiographic equipment, and participate in departmental quality control and performance improvement activities.

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.

Prepare your radiologic technician resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your radiologic technician resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a radiologic technician resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

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