X-Ray Operator Overview
X-Ray Operator Careers
There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being an x-ray operator. For example, did you know that they make an average of $24.67 an hour? That's $51,317 a year!
Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 9% and produce 23,300 job opportunities across the U.S.
What Does an X-Ray Operator Do
There are certain skills that many x-ray operators have in order to accomplish their responsibilities. By taking a look through resumes, we were able to narrow down the most common skills for a person in this position. We discovered that a lot of resumes listed detail oriented, interpersonal skills and math skills.
When it comes to the most important skills required to be an x-ray operator, we found that a lot of resumes listed 30.1% of x-ray operators included patient care, while 11.5% of resumes included radiology, and 10.9% of resumes included vital signs. Hard skills like these are helpful to have when it comes to performing essential job responsibilities.
When it comes to searching for a job, many search for a key term or phrase. Instead, it might be more helpful to search by industry, as you might be missing jobs that you never thought about in industries that you didn't even think offered positions related to the x-ray operator job title. But what industry to start with? Most x-ray operators actually find jobs in the health care and manufacturing industries.
How To Become an X-Ray Operator
If you're interested in becoming an x-ray operator, one of the first things to consider is how much education you need. We've determined that 15.8% of x-ray operators have a bachelor's degree. In terms of higher education levels, we found that 2.9% of x-ray operators have master's degrees. Even though some x-ray operators have a college degree, it's possible to become one with only a high school degree or GED.
Choosing the right major is always an important step when researching how to become an x-ray operator. When we researched the most common majors for an x-ray operator, we found that they most commonly earn associate degree degrees or high school diploma degrees. Other degrees that we often see on x-ray operator resumes include bachelor's degree degrees or diploma degrees.
You may find that experience in other jobs will help you become an x-ray operator. In fact, many x-ray operator jobs require experience in a role such as x-ray technician. Meanwhile, many x-ray operators also have previous career experience in roles such as cashier or medical assistant.
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X-Ray Operator Career Paths
As you move along in your career, you may start taking on more responsibilities or notice that you've taken on a leadership role. Using our career map, an x-ray operator can determine their career goals through the career progression. For example, they could start out with a role such as x-ray technician, progress to a title such as ct technologist and then eventually end up with the title lead ct technologist.
X-Ray Operator Jobs You Might Like
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Tell us your goals and we'll match you with the rights job to get there.
Average Salary for an X-Ray Operator
Recently Added Salaries
Job TitleCompany  | Company | Start Date | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
Ochsner Health X-Ray Operator X-Ray Operator | Ochsner Health Ochsner Health | 06/26/2021 06/26/2021 | $39,65306/26/2021 $39,653 |
Hitchiner X-Ray Operator Senior 2Nd Shift X-Ray Operator Senior 2Nd Shift | Hitchiner Hitchiner | 11/14/2020 11/14/2020 | $41,74011/14/2020 $41,740 |
University of Toledo X-Ray SR Technol Spec-Vascular Lab (Req2214) X-Ray SR Technol Spec-Vascular Lab (Req2214) | University of Toledo University of Toledo | 11/03/2020 11/03/2020 | $55,41011/03/2020 $55,410 |
Hitchiner X-Ray Operator Senior 2Nd Shift X-Ray Operator Senior 2Nd Shift | Hitchiner Hitchiner | 09/19/2020 09/19/2020 | $41,74009/19/2020 $41,740 |
Hitchiner X-Ray Operator Senior 2Nd Shift X-Ray Operator Senior 2Nd Shift | Hitchiner Hitchiner | 07/30/2020 07/30/2020 | $41,74007/30/2020 $41,740 |
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Top Colleges for X-Ray Operators
1. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
2. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
3. San Diego State University
San Diego, CA • Private
4. SUNY Stony Brook
Stony Brook, NY • Private
5. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
6. New York University
New York, NY • Private
7. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN • Private
8. Howard University
Washington, DC • Private
9. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Champaign, IL • Private
10. SUNY at Buffalo
Buffalo, NY • Private
Online Courses For X-Ray Operator That You May Like
This physics course covers the physical principles of major in vivo bio-imaging modalities and the different imaging techniques. After a short study of ultrasound imaging, you will learn about the different X-ray imaging techniques. The understanding of the interaction of X-rays with tissue will lead to the study of three different techniques: Computed Tomography (CT) Emission Tomography Positron Emission Tomography (PET) This course shows how existing physical principles transcend into...
FULL COURSE TAUGHT BY AN OFFICIAL V-RAY MENTOR. Create Photorealistic 3D Renderings with 3ds Max + V-Ray from scratch...
Radiation is all around us - without it we wouldn't exist. Yet the word has become synonymous with danger, death and disaster. This MOOC will allow the world to see radiation in a new light, to expose its benefits as well as its risks. X-ray radiation, for example, is a scientific and medical discovery that has improved or prolonged billions of lives. Most of us have had an X-ray at some point in our life, at the Dentist, in a hospital or clinic. Yet few people really understand what X-rays are...
Top Skills For an X-Ray Operator
The skills section on your resume can be almost as important as the experience section, so you want it to be an accurate portrayal of what you can do. Luckily, we've found all of the skills you'll need so even if you don't have these skills yet, you know what you need to work on. Out of all the resumes we looked through, 30.1% of x-ray operators listed patient care on their resume, but soft skills such as detail oriented and interpersonal skills are important as well.
- Patient Care, 30.1%
- Radiology, 11.5%
- Vital Signs, 10.9%
- Medical Records, 7.9%
- Drug Screens, 7.1%
- Other Skills, 32.5% See All X-Ray Operator Skills