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The differences between radiology assistants and x-ray 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 radiology assistant and an x-ray technician. Additionally, an x-ray technician has an average salary of $51,642, 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 x-ray technician are patients, ARRT, and radiologic technologist.
| Radiology Assistant | X-Ray Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $30,902 | $51,642 |
| Hourly rate | $14.86 | $24.83 |
| Growth rate | -5% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 25,979 | 60,780 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 36% | Associate Degree, 62% |
| 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.
The job of X-ray technicians, or X-ray technologists, is to detect medical issues that may need urgent medical treatment using cutting-edge imaging methods. The pictures they generate aid physicians in diagnosing and treating injuries and illnesses with better accuracy. They use a wide range of imaging technologies such as the traditional X-ray machines, computerized axial tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging. X-ray technicians may also perform some office work that includes preparing work schedules, managing radiologic departments, and setting up physicians' stations.
Radiology assistants and x-ray technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Radiology Assistant | X-Ray Technician | |
| Average salary | $30,902 | $51,642 |
| Salary range | Between $19,000 And $48,000 | Between $32,000 And $81,000 |
| Highest paying City | Pontiac, MI | Fresno, CA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | California |
| Best paying company | Brigham and Women's Hospital | Stability Healthcare |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a radiology assistant and an x-ray technician in terms of educational background:
| Radiology Assistant | X-Ray Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 36% | Associate Degree, 62% |
| Most common major | Medical Technician | Medical Technician |
| Most common college | New York University | Texas A&M University |
Here are the differences between radiology assistants' and x-ray technicians' demographics:
| Radiology Assistant | X-Ray Technician | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 30.0% Female, 70.0% | Male, 40.3% Female, 59.7% |
| 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, 10.3% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 17.7% Asian, 9.3% White, 57.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 10% | 10% |