How to hire an x-ray operator

How to hire an x-ray operator, step by step

Here's a step-by-step x-ray operator hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write an x-ray operator job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new x-ray operator
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The x-ray operator hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   An x-ray operator's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, x-ray operators from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   Here's a comparison of x-ray operator salaries for various roles:

   Type of X-Ray Operator	Description	Hourly rate
   X-Ray Operator		$12-54
   Radiologic Technician	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... Show more	$15-37
   X-Ray Technician	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... Show more	$15-38

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Patients
   • Patient Care
   • Radiology
   • Vital Signs
   • Patient History
   • Drug Screens
   • Radiation Safety
   • Pacs
   • EKG
   • Patient Education
   • Breath Alcohol
   • Blood Draws
   • MRI
   • Radiographic Procedures

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Utilize learned skills in the area of radiation safety for the protection of patients and coworkers.
   • Experience in regular film (dark room), digital, PACS and film less equipment.
   • Take out staples, sutures, remove splints, set up injections and assist doctors with injections.
   • Perform radiologic imaging for both adult and pediatric patients.
   • Introduce to venipuncture and Ekg 's
   • Operate the c-arm during O.R.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your x-ray operator job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. An x-ray operator salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, x-ray operators' average salary in florida is 40% less than in california.
   • Seniority. Entry-level x-ray operators earn 76% less than senior-level x-ray operators.
   • Certifications. An x-ray operator with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in an x-ray operator's salary.

   Average x-ray operator salary

   $55,997yearly

   $26.92 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level x-ray operator salary

   $27,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 21, 2026

4. Writing an x-ray operator job description

   A good x-ray operator job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of an x-ray operator job description:

   X-ray operator job description example

   The X-ray Science Division (XSD) seeks a Postdoctoral Research Associate to contribute to the development of a unique time-resolve (TR) research project at the Advanced Photon Source (APS). The successful candidate will work with scientists in the XSD Time-Resolved Research Group to design and construct synchrotron x-ray instrumentation to realize the idea of dynamic x-ray optics on a chip and integrating the optics to TR experiments at the current and upgraded APS. The position presents an opportunity to contribute to the time-resolved x-ray program (with emphasis on ultrafast optics). There is a strong interdisciplinary nature associated with the project covering both MEMS (microelectromechanical systems) design/fabrication and TR x-ray applications. We are seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral scientist to drive the project while interacting closely with senior members of the research group. Applicants should have a Ph.D. in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, or physics, and a strong interest in x-ray scattering and imaging. Synchrotron x-ray imaging experiments and analysis experience are an added preference.
   **Position Requirements**
   
   Required Knowledge, Skills, and Experience:
   
   + Ph.D. in Physics, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, physics, or related field within the last 3 years
   
   + The ability to conduct research addressing fundamental or applied scientific questions
   
   + Demonstrated strong analytical, computational, and problem-solving skills
   
   + Excellent oral and written communication skills
   
   Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Experience:
   
   + The ability to design, test, and control MEMS devices
   
   + Experience conducting synchrotron x-ray experiments
   
   + Familiarity with scientific programing languages, data acquisition, and instrumentation control.
   
   **Job Family**
   
   Postdoctoral Family
   
   **Job Profile**
   
   Postdoctoral Appointee
   
   **Worker Type**
   
   Long-Term (Fixed Term)
   
   **Time Type**
   
   Full time
   
   _As an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer, and in accordance with our core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity and teamwork, Argonne National Laboratory is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace that fosters collaborative scientific discovery and innovation. In support of this commitment, Argonne encourages minorities, women, veterans and individuals with disabilities to apply for employment. Argonne considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law._
   
   _Argonne employees, and certain guest researchers and contractors, are subject to particular restrictions related to participation in Foreign Government Sponsored or Affiliated Activities, as defined and detailed in United States Department of Energy Order 486.1A. You will be asked to disclose any such participation in the application phase for review by Argonne's Legal Department._
   
   _All Argonne offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes an assessment of criminal conviction history conducted on an individualized and case-by-case basis. Please be advised that Argonne positions require upon hire (or may require in the future) for the individual be to obtain a government access authorization that involves additional background check requirements. Failure to obtain or maintain such government access authorization could result in the withdrawal of a job offer or future termination of employment._
   
   _Please note that all Argonne employees are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19. All successful applicants will be required to provide their COVID-19 vaccination verification as a condition of employment, subject to limited legally recognized exemptions to COVID-19 vaccination._

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find x-ray operators for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your x-ray operator job on Zippia to find and attract quality x-ray operator candidates.
   • Use niche websites such as healthcarejobsite, health jobs nationwide, hospitalcareers, medreps.com.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with x-ray operator candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new x-ray operator

   Once you've selected the best x-ray operator candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new x-ray operator first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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