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The differences between radiology assistants 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 radiology assistant and an imaging technologist. Additionally, an imaging technologist has an average salary of $49,786, which is higher than the $30,902 average annual salary of a radiology assistant.
The top three skills for a radiology assistant include patients, patient care and customer service. The most important skills for an imaging technologist are patients, patient care, and customer service.
| Radiology Assistant | Imaging Technologist | |
| Yearly salary | $30,902 | $49,786 |
| Hourly rate | $14.86 | $23.94 |
| Growth rate | -5% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 25,979 | 55,397 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 36% | Bachelor's Degree, 39% |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
Radio technicians are responsible for installing, adjusting, examining, maintaining, and repairing mobile or stationary radio transmitting. Their tasks include achieving all essential support management actions needed to establish and sustain the combat potency of assign electronic and electrical equipment. Also, they observe their performance, find out the causes of faults, and analyze given technical data for an electronic repair job. Job qualifications include knowledge in electronic principles, analog electronics theory, and electromagnetism, as well as dexterity and mechanical skills.
An imaging technologist is responsible for performing diagnostic imaging procedures such as magnetic resonance imaging scans, X-ray examination, and computed tomography. Your day-to-day duties include working closely with physicians and radiologists in diagnosing or ruling out disease or injury, operating and maintaining imaging equipment, and assisting patients in preparation for imaging procedures. As an imaging technologist, it is also your responsibility to follow precise instructions in order to capture a high-quality image and assisting physicians in evaluating images.
Radiology assistants and imaging technologists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Radiology Assistant | Imaging Technologist | |
| Average salary | $30,902 | $49,786 |
| Salary range | Between $19,000 And $48,000 | Between $33,000 And $74,000 |
| Highest paying City | Pontiac, MI | Los Angeles, CA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | Brigham and Women's Hospital | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a radiology assistant and an imaging technologist in terms of educational background:
| Radiology Assistant | Imaging Technologist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 36% | Bachelor's Degree, 39% |
| Most common major | Medical Technician | Medical Technician |
| Most common college | New York University | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between radiology assistants' and imaging technologists' demographics:
| Radiology Assistant | Imaging Technologist | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 30.0% Female, 70.0% | Male, 47.6% Female, 52.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.9% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 18.4% Asian, 8.2% White, 58.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | 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 | 10% | 8% |