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X-ray technician vs radiologic technologist assistant

The differences between x-ray technicians and radiologic technologist assistants 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 radiologic technologist assistant. Additionally, an x-ray technician has an average salary of $51,642, which is higher than the $50,212 average annual salary of a radiologic technologist assistant.

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

X-ray technician vs radiologic technologist assistant overview

X-Ray TechnicianRadiologic Technologist Assistant
Yearly salary$51,642$50,212
Hourly rate$24.83$24.14
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs60,780109,990
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 62%Associate Degree, 60%
Average age4343
Years of experience22

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 radiologic technologist assistant do?

Radio repairers are responsible for performing and supervising maintenance for the sustainment level of radio transmitters, receivers, and other types of communication security equipment. This may be done in the field or in an office setting. Good dexterity, sufficient strength, and a healthy background in mechanical skills and diagnostic equipment will be a must for this career.

X-ray technician vs radiologic technologist assistant salary

X-ray technicians and radiologic technologist assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

X-Ray TechnicianRadiologic Technologist Assistant
Average salary$51,642$50,212
Salary rangeBetween $32,000 And $81,000Between $32,000 And $77,000
Highest paying CityFresno, CA-
Highest paying stateCalifornia-
Best paying companyStability Healthcare-
Best paying industryHealth Care-

Differences between x-ray technician and radiologic technologist assistant education

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

X-Ray TechnicianRadiologic Technologist Assistant
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 62%Associate Degree, 60%
Most common majorMedical TechnicianMedical Technician
Most common collegeTexas A&M UniversityTexas A&M University

X-ray technician vs radiologic technologist assistant demographics

Here are the differences between x-ray technicians' and radiologic technologist assistants' demographics:

X-Ray TechnicianRadiologic Technologist Assistant
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 40.3% Female, 59.7%Male, 25.6% Female, 74.4%
Race ratioBlack 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 Percentage10%8%

Differences between x-ray technician and radiologic technologist assistant 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.
  • Show more

Radiologic technologist assistant example responsibilities.

  • Complete DEXA scans and manage DEXA files.
  • Perform x-ray procedures during surgery an
  • Assist with all x-ray and ultrasound procedures.
  • Use of old and new c-arm equipment.
  • Maintain all QC, patient information and data bases.
  • Instruct CPR to the community on a monthly basis which include testing.
  • Show more

X-ray technician vs radiologic technologist assistant skills

Common x-ray technician skills
  • Patients, 22%
  • ARRT, 9%
  • Radiologic Technologist, 6%
  • CPR, 5%
  • Customer Service, 5%
  • Pacs, 3%
Common radiologic technologist assistant skills
  • Patients, 29%
  • Patient Care, 14%
  • Vital Signs, 5%
  • CPR, 4%
  • Radiologic Technologist, 4%
  • Exam Rooms, 4%

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