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The differences between x-ray technicians and mri 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 mri technologist. Additionally, an mri technologist has an average salary of $77,257, 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 an mri technologist are patients, ARRT, and magnetic resonance imaging.
| X-Ray Technician | MRI Technologist | |
| Yearly salary | $51,642 | $77,257 |
| Hourly rate | $24.83 | $37.14 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 60,780 | 53,125 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 62% | Associate Degree, 56% |
| 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.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) technologists are medical professionals who manage everything involved in the MRI machine. They operate the machines to get scans of the patients' brain, spinal cord, or muscles, which would help doctors identify or diagnose clients' illnesses and diseases. They help the patients prepare for the MRI scans and ensure that they are properly protected. They also carefully take direction from attending physicians to ensure that they scan the correct body part needed for the diagnosis. MRI technologists are also in charge of maintaining the MRI machine and working on repairs whenever needed.
X-ray technicians and mri technologists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| X-Ray Technician | MRI Technologist | |
| Average salary | $51,642 | $77,257 |
| Salary range | Between $32,000 And $81,000 | Between $42,000 And $138,000 |
| Highest paying City | Fresno, CA | Modesto, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Stability Healthcare | Siemens Healthineers |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | - |
There are a few differences between an x-ray technician and an mri technologist in terms of educational background:
| X-Ray Technician | MRI Technologist | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 62% | Associate Degree, 56% |
| 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 mri technologists' demographics:
| X-Ray Technician | MRI Technologist | |
| Average age | 43 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 40.3% Female, 59.7% | Male, 43.6% Female, 56.4% |
| 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, 3.3% Hispanic or Latino, 11.0% Asian, 10.4% White, 69.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 10% | 12% |