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Radiologic technologist: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 23, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$80,110median pay per year, or $38.52 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $55,980lowest 10% earn less
  2. $64,81025th percentile
  3. $80,110median
  4. $98,75075th percentile
  5. $118,660top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[5]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[2]

A radiologic technologist earned a median of $80,110 a year in May 2025, well above the $50,980 median for all US occupations[1][2]. The usual way in is an associate's degree, and most states expect a license or certification on top of it[3][4].

Job growth, 2025–35
+5%[6]
Openings per year
13,000[7]
Typical entry education
Associate's degree[3]

How much do radiologic technologists make?

The median wage for the BLS category Radiologic Technologists and Technicians was $80,110 a year, or $38.52 an hour, in May 2025[1]. Half of workers earned more than that and half earned less[1]. The average (mean) was a little higher at $83,840 a year and $40.31 an hour[8].

For comparison, the median for all US occupations was $50,980 a year[2]. So the typical radiologic technologist earns well above the typical US worker[1][2].

Pay spreads out quite a bit[1][5][9]:

Percentile Annual Hourly
10th $55,980 $26.91
25th $64,810 $31.16
50th (median) $80,110 $38.52
75th $98,750 $47.47
90th $118,660 $57.05

Read these as boundaries. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $55,980, and the top 10% earned more than $118,660[5]. BLS publishes percentiles, not a starting salary[10].

These figures cover workers paid a wage or salary, full time or part time. They leave out self-employed people, and they do not count bonuses outside regular pay or the value of benefits like health insurance[11]. Self-employment is rare in this job anyway, at 0.4% of workers in 2025[12].

Pay by state and city

Where you work changes your pay a lot. The five states with the highest median wage were California ($121,260), Massachusetts ($103,620), the District of Columbia ($102,770), Oregon ($102,290) and Washington ($102,090)[13]. At the other end, Mississippi had the lowest median at $59,300[13].

Every one of the eight best-paying metro areas (counting areas with at least 100 jobs) is in California[14]. Vallejo led at $160,380, followed by San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara at $154,850 and San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont at $141,780[14].

California also had the most jobs at 20,900, ahead of Texas with 20,250 and Florida with 16,470[15]. New York (13,450 jobs) and Ohio (9,570 jobs) rounded out the top five[15]. Among metro areas, New York-Newark-Jersey City had the most, with 12,700 jobs and a median of $102,730[16]. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim came next with 6,450 jobs and a median of $108,030[16].

Show median pay in 50 states and DC
StateMedian per yearJobs
California[13]$121,26020,900
Massachusetts$103,6205,500
District of Columbia$102,770660
Oregon$102,2902,700
Washington$102,0904,130
Hawaii$101,700690
Alaska$98,920370
New York$98,47013,450
New Jersey$95,0006,320
Vermont$94,540470
Connecticut$91,9703,230
Arizona$89,2004,670
Colorado$87,7603,960
Maryland$85,8903,370
Rhode Island$85,330660
New Hampshire$84,9101,240
Delaware$84,210650
Minnesota$83,4004,910
Nevada$82,9101,840
Utah$81,0001,780
Virginia$80,6705,140
Idaho$80,0801,490
Maine$80,0801,050
New Mexico$79,9401,150
Illinois$79,9307,650
Wisconsin$79,1405,010
Texas$78,63020,250
Ohio$78,3209,570
Wyoming$77,860430
Indiana$77,6405,470
Montana$77,070850
Florida$76,75016,470
Michigan$76,4207,220
Kansas$76,0702,270
Pennsylvania$76,0508,090
Georgia$74,5507,540
North Carolina$74,4509,250
Oklahoma$74,1603,640
West Virginia$74,1501,810
Missouri$73,0805,170
Nebraska$72,8601,670
Kentucky$69,6703,630
South Carolina$69,6003,630
North Dakota$67,790740
Iowa$65,9302,550
South Dakota$65,240980
Tennessee$64,6304,660
Louisiana$63,6803,370
Arkansas$63,6402,210
Alabama$60,7003,500
Mississippi$59,3002,510

How to become a radiologic technologist

BLS lists an associate's degree as the typical education for entry, with no related work experience and no on-the-job training needed[3]. O*NET places the job in Job Zone Three, meaning medium preparation[17]. The training details below come from a Handbook profile that covers radiologic and MRI technologists as a wider group[18].

1) In high school, focus on math and science classes such as anatomy, biology, chemistry and physics[19]. 2) Earn an associate's degree in the field[20]. Programs can combine classroom learning with clinical work, and classes include anatomy, pathology, patient care, radiation physics and safety, and judging image quality[20]. Graduate certificate and bachelor's programs also exist[20]. 3) Pick an accredited program, since some states will only license people who finished one[21]. 4) Get a license or certification if your state requires it[4]. To get licensed, you usually graduate from an accredited program, then either pass a state certification exam or earn certification from a credentialing organization[22]. 5) Plan to be certified even where the state does not demand it, because employers usually require or prefer it[23]. Some employers also want CPR or basic life support certification[23].

According to the Handbook, a license or certification is required for radiologic technologists in most states, and the rules differ from state to state[4]. Your state's health board has the exact requirements[22]. Technologists can hold certifications in more than one specialty[22]. MRI technologists can begin as radiologic technologists, and they usually bring under 5 years of related experience, most often from that role[24][25].

Qualities that help include close attention to detail, people skills for calming patients who may be anxious or in pain, math for working out radiation amounts, and the stamina to stand for long stretches and help move patients[26][27][28][29].

What radiologic technologists do

Radiologic technologists take x-rays and CT scans, and some give patients nonradioactive materials through the bloodstream so images can be used for diagnosis or research[30]. The category also includes techs who work with other scanning methods[30]. Typical tasks include[31]:

Job titles workers report include Radiographer, CT Tech, Mammographer, Multimodality Technologist and Registered Radiologic Technologist (RT (R))[32].

Where they work

Hospitals (state, local and private) are the largest employer in the Handbook profile for radiologic and MRI technologists[33].

The job is physical. Technologists spend long periods standing and may have to lift or turn patients, for example people who are injured[34]. Like others in health care, they can be exposed to infectious diseases[35]. Because x-ray equipment uses radiation, radiologic technologists wear badges that track their exposure, and records of their lifetime dose are kept[35]. Lead aprons, gloves and other shielding keep that risk low[35].

Most work full time[36]. Imaging is sometimes needed in emergencies, so some technologists work evenings, weekends or overnight shifts[36].

Job outlook

BLS expects employment of radiologic technologists and technicians to rise 5% between 2025 and 2035, taking it from roughly 234,200 jobs to 246,000, a gain of about 11,800[6]. That is faster than the 3.5% projected for all occupations[37].

About 13,000 openings are expected each year on average[7]. These include jobs freed up when workers retire or switch to other occupations, not only newly created jobs[7]. Each year about 2.5% of workers are projected to leave the labor force and 2.4% to move to a different occupation[38].

The projection count for 2025 (about 234,200) is higher than the May 2025 wage survey count of about 230,490 jobs[39][6]. The projection count includes self-employed workers, and the wage survey count does not[39][6].

Is it a good fit?

The facts point to solid pay for a job whose typical entry education is an associate's degree, with a median of $80,110 against $50,980 for all occupations[1][2][3]. Growth of 5% is projected to outpace the 3.5% for all jobs, and about 13,000 openings are expected each year[6][37][7]. Pay depends heavily on location, from a $121,260 state median in California to $59,300 in Mississippi[13]. Plan for state licensing or certification, physical work on your feet, and possible evening, weekend or overnight shifts[4][23][34][36].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[40].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a radiologic technologist make an hour?
The median hourly wage was $38.52 in May 2025[1]. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $26.91 an hour and the top 10% earned more than $57.05[9].
What degree do you need to be a radiologic technologist?
BLS lists an associate's degree as the typical entry education[3]. Some states require you to finish an accredited program before you can be licensed[21].
Do radiologic technologists need a license?
In most states, yes. The Handbook says radiologic technologists in most states must be licensed or certified, and rules vary by state[4]. Employers usually require or prefer certification even where the state does not[23].
What is the highest paying state for radiologic technologists?
California, with a median annual wage of $121,260 in May 2025[13]. Massachusetts was second at $103,620[13].
Are radiologic technologists in demand?
BLS expects jobs to rise 5% between 2025 and 2035, faster than the 3.5% for all occupations, with about 13,000 openings a year[6][37][7].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Radiologic Technologists and Technicians in the US was $80,110 per year and $38.52 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  3. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Radiologic Technologists and Technicians: education needed for entry: Associate's degree; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: None. BLS Employment Projections
  4. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  5. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Radiologic Technologists and Technicians: 10th percentile $55,980, 25th percentile $64,810, 75th percentile $98,750, 90th percentile $118,660. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  6. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Radiologic Technologists and Technicians is projected to grow 5% from 2025 to 2035, from about 234,200 to 246,000 jobs (a change of +11,800). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS Employment Projections: about 13,000 openings for Radiologic Technologists and Technicians are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  8. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Radiologic Technologists and Technicians was $83,840 per year and $40.31 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Radiologic Technologists and Technicians: 10th percentile $26.91, 25th percentile $31.16, 75th percentile $47.47, 90th percentile $57.05. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. BLS Employment Projections: 0.4% of Radiologic Technologists and Technicians were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
  13. Median annual wage for Radiologic Technologists and Technicians in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Radiologic Technologists and Technicians (areas with at least 100 jobs): Vallejo, CA $160,380; San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $154,850; San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $141,780; Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $137,530; Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $135,880; Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA $129,920; Modesto, CA $129,030; Stockton-Lodi, CA $128,480. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Radiologic Technologists and Technicians jobs: California 20,900; Texas 20,250; Florida 16,470; New York 13,450; Ohio 9,570. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Radiologic Technologists and Technicians jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 12,700 (median $102,730); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 6,450 (median $108,030); Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 5,650 (median $82,140); Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 5,470 (median $83,140); Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX 5,000 (median $80,780); Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL 4,630 (median $78,890). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  17. O*NET 29-2034.00: Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job. O*NET OnLine
  18. The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile "Radiologic and MRI Technologists" covers Radiologic Technologists and Technicians together with other related occupations, so its text describes the wider group. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  24. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  25. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Work Experience in a Related Occupation. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  26. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  27. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  28. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  29. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  30. O*NET description of Radiologic Technologists and Technicians. O*NET OnLine
  31. O*NET task list for Radiologic Technologists and Technicians. O*NET OnLine
  32. O*NET 29-2034.00 sample job titles reported by workers: CT Tech (Computed Tomography Technologist), Mammographer, Multimodality Technologist, Radiographer, Radiologic Technician (RAD Tech), Radiology Technician (Radiology Tech), Registered Radiologic Technologist (RT (R)), RT (Radiologic Technologist). O*NET OnLine
  33. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of radiologic and mri technologists in 2025: Hospitals; state, local, and private 61%; Hospitals; state, local, and private 60%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  34. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  35. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Injuries and Illnesses. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  36. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  37. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  38. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Radiologic Technologists and Technicians: 2.5% of workers leave the labor force each year and 2.4% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  39. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 230,490 people were employed as Radiologic Technologists and Technicians in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  40. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers. The Occupational Outlook Handbook text covers a wider group of occupations than this page.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.