Radiologic Technologist Salary

Bureau of Labor Statistics title: Radiologic Technologists and Technicians

The median radiologic technologist salary in the United States is $80,110 per year ($38.52/hour). Salaries range from $55,980 at the entry level to $118,660+ for the top 10% of earners. There are 230,490 radiologic technologist jobs nationwide. Employment is projected to grow 4.3% through 2034.

Last updated: June 2026 Β· Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Also known asRadiology TechnicianRadiology TechX-Ray TechnicianRad Tech
Median Salary
$80,110
per year
Hourly Rate
$38.52
per hour
Employment
230,490
jobs in the U.S.

Salary Distribution

10th percentile
$55,980
25th percentile
$64,810
Median
$80,110
75th percentile
$98,750
90th percentile
$118,660

Job Growth (2024-2034)

+4.3%
As fast as average

Annual Openings

12,900
jobs/year (growth + replacements)

Education Required

Associate's degree

Radiologic Technologist Career Guide

Interview questions, resume templates, and a career ladder written specifically for radiologic technologists.

Radiologic techs (RTs) perform X-ray + CT + MRI + mammography + interventional imaging + fluoroscopy. Entry $52-68k; mid-career licensed $65-88k; specialty (CT + MRI + Interventional + Mammography) $80-115k; senior + lead + educator $95-135k+. ARRT certification + state licensure required. Shift differentials + call pay + specialty premiums drive top pay. Path to Ultrasound + Nuclear Med + Radiation Therapy + PA/RN with additional education.

Core Skills Hiring Managers Screen For

Modality expertise (X-ray + CT + MRI + Mammography)
Master primary modality + cross-train + specialty certifications for premium pay.
Radiation safety (ALARA)
Minimize dose to patient + self + others. Shielding + collimation + technique optimization.
Patient care + positioning
Trauma + peds + geriatric + bariatric + confused patients. Compassionate + accurate positioning for diagnostic quality.
PACS + RIS + EHR
Epic Radiant + PowerScribe + Cerner + Meditech + specialty systems. Image processing + tagging + delivery.
Contrast administration + IV skills
IV starts + contrast selection + reaction protocols + emergency response + documentation.
QA + equipment maintenance
Daily QA + phantom testing + service coordination + AC + accreditation + regulatory compliance.
Team + physician collaboration
Radiologist consultation + trauma teams + OR support + interventional teams + IR case setup.

How to Become a Radiologic Technologist

  1. 1
    Complete accredited radiography program
    JRCERT-accredited 24-month associate's ($15-35k) or 4-year bachelor's ($40-90k). 1,900+ clinical hours.
  2. 2
    Pass ARRT + get state licensed
    ARRT certification exam ($200) + state licensure ($100-500). Portable across most states.
  3. 3
    Start in general radiography
    Hospital or outpatient imaging + cross-train on trauma + fluoro + portables.
  4. 4
    Add advanced modality (CT + MRI + Mammo)
    3-6 months clinical + ARRT advanced cert. Each modality adds $8-15k pay + shift preference.
  5. 5
    Specialize + move to lead + educator + admin
    Interventional radiology + cardiac cath + PICU/NICU + trauma. Lead RT + educator + RT Manager tracks at 8-15 years.

Career Progression

Staff Radiologic Technologist
0-3 yrs$52-72k + shift diff
  • β€’General radiography + fluoro
  • β€’Trauma + portables
  • β€’IV starts + contrast
  • β€’PACS + documentation
Next: Specialty tech + cross-training at 3-5 years.
Specialty Tech (CT + MRI + Mammo + IR)
3-8 yrs$68-98k + shift/call diff
  • β€’Modality expertise
  • β€’Advanced protocols
  • β€’Precept students
  • β€’Complex cases
Next: Senior Tech + Lead at 8-12 years.
Senior Tech / Lead RT
8-15 yrs$88-125k + differentials
  • β€’Modality lead
  • β€’Team lead 4-15 techs
  • β€’Protocol development
  • β€’Educator + preceptor
Next: Imaging Manager / Radiology Educator at 12-18 years.
Imaging Manager / Educator / Admin
15+ yrs$115-175k + bonus
  • β€’Department P&L or education program
  • β€’Team of 15-60 techs
  • β€’Accreditation + QA
  • β€’Vendor + budget
Next: Radiology Director + VP Imaging + independent contractor imaging center owner.

Interview Questions & Answers

5 free questions below. Career Kit unlocks 15 total plus resume bullets for every level.

Q1. Walk me through a chest X-ray protocol.technical
Patient prep + positioning (PA + lateral) + technique (kVp + mAs + FFD) + shielding + safety + image evaluation + PACS transmission.
Q2. How do you handle a difficult trauma patient?situational
Team communication + prioritize safety + adapt positioning + rapid technique + coordinate with docs + document everything.
Q3. Explain ALARA + specific practices you use.technical
As Low As Reasonably Achievable β€” shielding + collimation + technique optimization + distance + time + patient education.
Q4. How do you handle a contrast reaction?situational
Recognize signs + stop contrast + support patient + call code if severe + document + follow-up.
Q5. Where do you see career in 5 years?closer
Modality specialty + Senior tech role + potentially lead or educator + long-term stable career.

Resume Template β€” Staff RT (0-3 yrs)

Copy these bullets into your resume as a starting point. Career Kit includes bullets for every level of the ladder.

Staff RT (0-3 yrs)
  • β–ΈPerformed 45+ studies/shift across X-ray + fluoro + portables at 380-bed Level 1 trauma center.
  • β–ΈPassed ARRT + earned CT cross-training within 24 months + zero patient safety events.
  • β–ΈPrecepted 4 radiography students + earned Preceptor of the Quarter award 2 consecutive quarters.
  • β–ΈHandled 380+ trauma calls + IV starts + contrast studies with 96% patient satisfaction score.

What Gets You Rejected

  • βœ—Weak radiation safety practices.
  • βœ—Cant handle high-volume + trauma settings.
  • βœ—Poor patient care or positioning.
  • βœ—Weak PACS + technology adaptation.
  • βœ—No specialty focus or cross-training.
  • βœ—Safety incidents or documentation issues.

Salary Negotiation Levers

  • βœ“Advanced modality (CT + MRI + Mammo + IR) = $8-15k premium per certification.
  • βœ“Shift differential: night + weekend + on-call = $2-8/hour additional.
  • βœ“PRN + travel tech rates: $65-115/hr equivalent.
  • βœ“Metro premium at academic medical centers: 15-25%.
  • βœ“Sign-on: $5-25k common + relocation.
  • βœ“Lead + educator premium: $10-25k.
  • βœ“Union hospital pay + benefits + pension structure.

Radiologic Technologist Resume Review β€” $29

Personalized resume review from someone who has hired radiologic technologists. Purchase, email your resume to support@weblabra.com, and receive detailed written feedback within 7 days.

  • βœ“ Occupation-specific critique (not generic)
  • βœ“ Rewrite suggestions for weak bullets
  • βœ“ Missing skills / keywords flagged
  • βœ“ Formatting + ATS-readability feedback
  • βœ“ 7-day turnaround, 100% refund if we miss it

Radiologic Technologist Career Kit β€” $19

  • βœ“ All 15 interview questions with expert answers
  • βœ“ 7 real questions aggregated from Glassdoor, Blind, Reddit, LinkedIn
  • βœ“ Interview format intel for 7 top employers
  • βœ“ 3 copy-paste salary negotiation emails
  • βœ“ Resume bullets for every level of the career ladder
  • βœ“ 30–60–90 day plan for your first role
  • βœ“ Cover letter templates specific to this occupation
  • βœ“ Detailed salary negotiation script
  • βœ“ Ranked list of certifications with cost + ROI
  • βœ“ Downloadable PDF for offline access
  • βœ“ Instant access, no expiration, no subscription
βœ“ 7-day money-back guarantee β€” no questions asked

One-time purchase. 7-day refund guarantee.

Sample reviews β€” real customer reviews will appear here as they come in.

β€œThe interview question bank saved me. I got the exact question about 'walking through a DCF' at my Goldman Sachs superday, verbatim.”

β€” Anonymous, Financial Analyst

β€œCopy-paste negotiation emails are worth the price alone. I used the 'accepting with counter' template and got an extra $8k signing bonus.”

β€” Anonymous, Software Developer

β€œThe 30-60-90 day plan for a new grad RN was better than the orientation my hospital gave. Wish I'd bought this in nursing school.”

β€” Anonymous, Registered Nurse

Radiologic Technologist Salary by State

Best Cities (cost-adjusted) β†’

Salary Map β€” Click a state for details

$59K
$121Kβ–  No data

Top Paying States

California
$121K
+51%
Massachusetts
$104K
+29%
District of Columbia
$103K
+28%
Oregon
$102K
+28%
Washington
$102K
+27%
Hawaii
$102K
+27%
Alaska
$99K
+23%
New York
$98K
+23%
New Jersey
$95K
+19%
Vermont
$95K
+18%
Vertical line = national median. Click a state for full details.
StateMedianvs. National
California$121,260+51.4%
Massachusetts$103,620+29.3%
District of Columbia$102,770+28.3%
Oregon$102,290+27.7%
Washington$102,090+27.4%
Hawaii$101,700+27.0%
Alaska$98,920+23.5%
New York$98,470+22.9%
New Jersey$95,000+18.6%
Vermont$94,540+18.0%
1–10 of 51

Radiologic Technologist Salary by Metro Area

Metro AreaMedianvs. National
Vallejo, CA$160,380+100.2%
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$154,850+93.3%
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA$141,780+77.0%
Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA$137,530+71.7%
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA$135,880+69.6%
Redding, CA$129,960+62.2%
Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA$129,920+62.2%
Modesto, CA$129,030+61.1%
Stockton-Lodi, CA$128,480+60.4%
Napa, CA$128,170+60.0%
1–10 of 356
Data Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). Data reflects the most recent annual survey.
How does this compare to pro athletes?
A radiologic technologist earning $80,110/year would need 744 years to match Stephen Curry's NBA salary, or 799 yearsto match Patrick Mahomes' NFL contract.
See all sports & celebrity salaries β†’
πŸ“ˆ See how radiologic technologist salaries have changed over the past decade.
View Radiologic Technologist salary trend (2011–2024) β†’