Post job

Radiological health specialist vs x-ray technician

The differences between radiological health specialists and x-ray technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a radiological health specialist, becoming an x-ray technician takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a radiological health specialist has an average salary of $55,173, which is higher than the $51,642 average annual salary of an x-ray technician.

The top three skills for a radiological health specialist include patients, operator maintenance and nuclear medicine. The most important skills for an x-ray technician are patients, ARRT, and radiologic technologist.

Radiological health specialist vs x-ray technician overview

Radiological Health SpecialistX-Ray Technician
Yearly salary$55,173$51,642
Hourly rate$26.53$24.83
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs54,31160,780
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 36%Associate Degree, 62%
Average age4543
Years of experience62

Radiological health specialist vs x-ray technician salary

Radiological health specialists and x-ray technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Radiological Health SpecialistX-Ray Technician
Average salary$55,173$51,642
Salary rangeBetween $31,000 And $96,000Between $32,000 And $81,000
Highest paying City-Fresno, CA
Highest paying state-California
Best paying company-Stability Healthcare
Best paying industry-Health Care

Differences between radiological health specialist and x-ray technician education

There are a few differences between a radiological health specialist and an x-ray technician in terms of educational background:

Radiological Health SpecialistX-Ray Technician
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 36%Associate Degree, 62%
Most common majorNuclear And Industrial Radiologic TechnologiesMedical Technician
Most common collegeUniversity of Southern CaliforniaTexas A&M University

Radiological health specialist vs x-ray technician demographics

Here are the differences between radiological health specialists' and x-ray technicians' demographics:

Radiological Health SpecialistX-Ray Technician
Average age4543
Gender ratioMale, 56.8% Female, 43.2%Male, 40.3% Female, 59.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.1% Unknown, 6.2% Hispanic or Latino, 14.3% Asian, 5.7% White, 62.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%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 Percentage7%10%

Differences between radiological health specialist and x-ray technician duties and responsibilities

Radiological health specialist example responsibilities.

  • Manage chart completion (ICD-9-CM and CPT coding/abstracting), chart assembly and analysis, patient admission and patient information privacy/security.
  • Conduct relevant staff training that are evidenced-base and consistent with the multidisciplinary treatment team approach to psychiatric rehabilitation.
  • Perform DICOM network configuration settings for PACS system connectivity.

X-ray technician example responsibilities.

  • Manage day-to-day operation of PACS equipment including image archiving.
  • Train personnel in triage, first aid, and CPR.
  • Put patients into rooms, pull charts, and learned EMR as the office transition to electronic records.
  • Input patient information in to the EMR, room patients, assist the doctor in all in office procedures.
  • Provide mobile x-rays and EKG's for nursing homes, state hospital, and patients unable to leave their homes.
  • Produce quality images using c-arm during surgical procedures.
  • Show more

Radiological health specialist vs x-ray technician skills

Common radiological health specialist skills
  • Patients, 33%
  • Operator Maintenance, 14%
  • Nuclear Medicine, 13%
  • Portable Radiology Equipment, 8%
  • Radiographic Procedures, 5%
  • CPR, 4%
Common x-ray technician skills
  • Patients, 22%
  • ARRT, 9%
  • Radiologic Technologist, 6%
  • CPR, 5%
  • Customer Service, 5%
  • Pacs, 3%

Browse healthcare practitioner and technical jobs