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Radiologic technician vs monitor technician

The differences between radiologic technicians and monitor technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a radiologic technician and a monitor technician. Additionally, a radiologic technician has an average salary of $50,622, which is higher than the $35,460 average annual salary of a monitor technician.

The top three skills for a radiologic technician include patients, ARRT and radiologic technologist. The most important skills for a monitor technician are patients, EKG, and BLS.

Radiologic technician vs monitor technician overview

Radiologic TechnicianMonitor Technician
Yearly salary$50,622$35,460
Hourly rate$24.34$17.05
Growth rate6%10%
Number of jobs58,79756,963
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 69%Bachelor's Degree, 33%
Average age4345
Years of experience22

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.

What does a monitor technician do?

A monitor technician works in hospitals and other health care centers that provide treatment relating to heart health. They are also known as cardiac monitor technicians, who assist physicians and nurses with diagnosing and interpreting conditions related to the heart through several methods of monitoring and testing. Most of their work includes using machines and other medical technology in tracking patients' heart performance and check for any possible abnormalities. They monitor irregular heartbeats, arrhythmias, and cardiac arrest. They also use this technology to perform various tests on the heart but typically do not provide treatment.

Radiologic technician vs monitor technician salary

Radiologic technicians and monitor technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Radiologic TechnicianMonitor Technician
Average salary$50,622$35,460
Salary rangeBetween $32,000 And $79,000Between $28,000 And $43,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CAMedford, OR
Highest paying stateCaliforniaUtah
Best paying companyTALENT Software ServicesMLK Community Healthcare
Best paying industryHealth CareHealth Care

Differences between radiologic technician and monitor technician education

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

Radiologic TechnicianMonitor Technician
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 69%Bachelor's Degree, 33%
Most common majorMedical TechnicianNursing
Most common collegeTexas A&M UniversityDuke University

Radiologic technician vs monitor technician demographics

Here are the differences between radiologic technicians' and monitor technicians' demographics:

Radiologic TechnicianMonitor Technician
Average age4345
Gender ratioMale, 33.9% Female, 66.1%Male, 34.7% Female, 65.3%
Race ratioBlack 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%Black or African American, 10.6% Unknown, 3.3% Hispanic or Latino, 12.8% Asian, 13.9% White, 58.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage10%8%

Differences between radiologic technician and monitor technician duties and responsibilities

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.
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Monitor technician example responsibilities.

  • Assist with placement and manage intra-aortic balloon pumps.
  • Operate electrocardiogram (EKG), cardiac treadmill testing equipment and record data.
  • Administer care to patients in a LATC setting, support with ambulation and rehabilitation procedure.
  • Ensure telemetry boxes are returned from the floors when patients are discharge or transfer to ICU.
  • Work in a very large hospital system doing EEG's on premature infants to geriatric patients.
  • Monitor heart rhythm patterns, record and report normal and abnormal heart rhythm patterns and ECG interval measurements utilizing telemetry equipment.
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Radiologic technician vs monitor technician skills

Common radiologic technician skills
  • Patients, 24%
  • ARRT, 11%
  • Radiologic Technologist, 7%
  • CPR, 5%
  • Pacs, 4%
  • ALARA, 2%
Common monitor technician skills
  • Patients, 21%
  • EKG, 12%
  • BLS, 8%
  • Medical Terminology, 6%
  • Cardiac Rhythms, 6%
  • Arrhythmia, 4%

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