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The differences between x-ray technicians and monitor technicians 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 monitor technician. Additionally, an x-ray technician has an average salary of $51,642, which is higher than the $35,460 average annual salary of a monitor technician.
The top three skills for an x-ray technician include patients, ARRT and radiologic technologist. The most important skills for a monitor technician are patients, EKG, and BLS.
| X-Ray Technician | Monitor Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $51,642 | $35,460 |
| Hourly rate | $24.83 | $17.05 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 60,780 | 56,963 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 33% |
| Average age | 43 | 45 |
| 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 monitor technician works in hospitals and other health care centers that provide treatment relating to heart health. They are also known as cardiac monitor technicians, who assist physicians and nurses with diagnosing and interpreting conditions related to the heart through several methods of monitoring and testing. Most of their work includes using machines and other medical technology in tracking patients' heart performance and check for any possible abnormalities. They monitor irregular heartbeats, arrhythmias, and cardiac arrest. They also use this technology to perform various tests on the heart but typically do not provide treatment.
X-ray technicians and monitor technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| X-Ray Technician | Monitor Technician | |
| Average salary | $51,642 | $35,460 |
| Salary range | Between $32,000 And $81,000 | Between $28,000 And $43,000 |
| Highest paying City | Fresno, CA | Medford, OR |
| Highest paying state | California | Utah |
| Best paying company | Stability Healthcare | MLK Community Healthcare |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Health Care |
There are a few differences between an x-ray technician and a monitor technician in terms of educational background:
| X-Ray Technician | Monitor Technician | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 33% |
| Most common major | Medical Technician | Nursing |
| Most common college | Texas A&M University | Duke University |
Here are the differences between x-ray technicians' and monitor technicians' demographics:
| X-Ray Technician | Monitor Technician | |
| Average age | 43 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 40.3% Female, 59.7% | Male, 34.7% Female, 65.3% |
| 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, 10.6% Unknown, 3.3% Hispanic or Latino, 12.8% Asian, 13.9% White, 58.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% |
| LGBT Percentage | 10% | 8% |