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The differences between x-ray technicians and ct technologists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both an x-ray technician and a ct technologist. Additionally, a ct technologist has an average salary of $65,152, which is higher than the $51,642 average annual salary of an x-ray technician.
The top three skills for an x-ray technician include patients, ARRT and radiologic technologist. The most important skills for a ct technologist are patients, CT, and ARRT.
| X-Ray Technician | CT Technologist | |
| Yearly salary | $51,642 | $65,152 |
| Hourly rate | $24.83 | $31.32 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 60,780 | 71,121 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 62% | Associate Degree, 64% |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
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.
A CT Technologist's role involves the use of computerized tomography (CT) scanners to diagnose patients' medical issues. This process consists of producing cross-section images of internal organs and tissues.
X-ray technicians and ct technologists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| X-Ray Technician | CT Technologist | |
| Average salary | $51,642 | $65,152 |
| Salary range | Between $32,000 And $81,000 | Between $37,000 And $112,000 |
| Highest paying City | Fresno, CA | Los Angeles, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Stability Healthcare | Siemens Healthineers |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Health Care |
There are a few differences between an x-ray technician and a ct technologist in terms of educational background:
| X-Ray Technician | CT Technologist | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 62% | Associate Degree, 64% |
| Most common major | Medical Technician | Medical Technician |
| Most common college | Texas A&M University | Texas A&M University |
Here are the differences between x-ray technicians' and ct technologists' demographics:
| X-Ray Technician | CT Technologist | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 40.3% Female, 59.7% | Male, 42.7% Female, 57.3% |
| Race ratio | 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% | 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% |