X-ray technician vs dialysis technician

The differences between x-ray technicians and dialysis technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become an x-ray technician, becoming a dialysis technician takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, an x-ray technician has an average salary of $51,642, which is higher than the $40,195 average annual salary of a dialysis technician.

The top three skills for an x-ray technician include patients, ARRT and radiologic technologist. The most important skills for a dialysis technician are patients, vital signs, and direct patient care.

X-ray technician vs dialysis technician overview

	X-Ray Technician	Dialysis Technician
Yearly salary	$51,642	$40,195
Hourly rate	$24.83	$19.32
Growth rate	6%	9%
Number of jobs	60,780	100,653
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 62%	Associate Degree, 25%
Average age	43	44
Years of experience	2	12

What does an x-ray technician do?

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.

What does a dialysis technician do?

A dialysis technician is responsible for the control and maintenance of a dialysis machine. Dialysis technicians' duties include monitoring the stable performance of the equipment, assisting patients on the dialysis process, and adhering to the safety standards and protocols on the dialysis operation all the time. A dialysis technician also reports to the respective doctors and nurses for any concerns and possible emergency scenarios. Dialysis technicians must also sterilize all equipment before usage to ensure its cleanliness, avoiding possible infection for patients.

X-ray technician vs dialysis technician salary

X-ray technicians and dialysis technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

	X-Ray Technician	Dialysis Technician
Average salary	$51,642	$40,195
Salary range	Between $32,000 And $81,000	Between $29,000 And $54,000
Highest paying City	Fresno, CA	Fresno, CA
Highest paying state	California	California
Best paying company	Stability Healthcare	American Mobile Healthcare
Best paying industry	Health Care	Health Care

Differences between x-ray technician and dialysis technician education

There are a few differences between an x-ray technician and a dialysis technician in terms of educational background:

	X-Ray Technician	Dialysis Technician
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 62%	Associate Degree, 25%
Most common major	Medical Technician	Nursing
Most common college	Texas A&M University	University of Connecticut

X-ray technician vs dialysis technician demographics

Here are the differences between x-ray technicians' and dialysis technicians' demographics:

	X-Ray Technician	Dialysis Technician
Average age	43	44
Gender ratio	Male, 40.3% Female, 59.7%	Male, 25.1% Female, 74.9%
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, 11.6% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.1% Asian, 8.9% White, 56.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	10%	8%

Differences between x-ray technician and dialysis technician duties and responsibilities

X-ray technician example responsibilities.

Manage day-to-day operation of PACS equipment including image archiving.
Train personnel in triage, first aid, and CPR.
Put patients into rooms, pull charts, and learned EMR as the office transition to electronic records.
Input patient information in to the EMR, room patients, assist the doctor in all in office procedures.
Provide mobile x-rays and EKG's for nursing homes, state hospital, and patients unable to leave their homes.
Produce quality images using c-arm during surgical procedures.

Dialysis technician example responsibilities.

Maintain national certification as CCHT and attain CE's as required.
Practice guidelines require by national standard and regulatory agencies and infection control when sterilizing equipment, catheter sites, puncture sites.
Initiate, monitor, and terminate dialysis treatments for individual patients through intravenous and/or catheter ports.
Observe patients during hemodialysis treatments and identify patient problems and/or complications and report any unusual findings to the nurse supervisor.
Operate hemodialysis machines, calculate fluid removal/replacement, monitor venous and arterial pressures, and check patients for adverse reactions.
Demonstrate proficiency in laboratory procedures and equipment functions to perform duties accurately; comply with standard procedures and cleanliness guidelines.

X-ray technician vs dialysis technician skills

Common x-ray technician skills

Patients, 22%
ARRT, 9%
Radiologic Technologist, 6%
CPR, 5%
Customer Service, 5%
Pacs, 3%

Common dialysis technician skills

Patients, 31%
Vital Signs, 13%
Direct Patient Care, 7%
CPR, 5%
Phlebotomy, 4%
Catheter, 3%

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X-Ray Technician
X-Ray Technician vs Dialysis Technician

Updated January 8, 2025

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