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The differences between x-ray technicians and imaging 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 an imaging technologist. Additionally, an x-ray technician has an average salary of $51,642, which is higher than the $49,786 average annual salary of an imaging technologist.
The top three skills for an x-ray technician include patients, ARRT and radiologic technologist. The most important skills for an imaging technologist are patients, patient care, and customer service.
| X-Ray Technician | Imaging Technologist | |
| Yearly salary | $51,642 | $49,786 |
| Hourly rate | $24.83 | $23.94 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 60,780 | 55,397 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 39% |
| 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.
An imaging technologist is responsible for performing diagnostic imaging procedures such as magnetic resonance imaging scans, X-ray examination, and computed tomography. Your day-to-day duties include working closely with physicians and radiologists in diagnosing or ruling out disease or injury, operating and maintaining imaging equipment, and assisting patients in preparation for imaging procedures. As an imaging technologist, it is also your responsibility to follow precise instructions in order to capture a high-quality image and assisting physicians in evaluating images.
X-ray technicians and imaging technologists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| X-Ray Technician | Imaging Technologist | |
| Average salary | $51,642 | $49,786 |
| Salary range | Between $32,000 And $81,000 | Between $33,000 And $74,000 |
| Highest paying City | Fresno, CA | Los Angeles, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | Stability Healthcare | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Health Care |
There are a few differences between an x-ray technician and an imaging technologist in terms of educational background:
| X-Ray Technician | Imaging Technologist | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 39% |
| Most common major | Medical Technician | Medical Technician |
| Most common college | Texas A&M University | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between x-ray technicians' and imaging technologists' demographics:
| X-Ray Technician | Imaging Technologist | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 40.3% Female, 59.7% | Male, 47.6% Female, 52.4% |
| 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% |