How much does a radiologic technologists and technician make?

The median pay is $38.52 per hour — roughly $80,000 a year, with the real range running from about $26.91/hr (10th percentile) to $57.05/hr (90th percentile). Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Do you need a degree to be a radiologic technologists and technician?

The typical entry-level education is: Associate degree. Overall preparation level: medium preparation (Job Zone 3 of 5).

What does a radiologic technologists and technician actually do all day?

Position imaging equipment and adjust controls to set exposure time and distance, according to specification of examination. Position patient on examining table and set up and adjust equipment to obtain optimum view of specific body area as requested by physician. Monitor patients' conditions and reactions, reporting abnormal signs to physician.

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Radiologic Technologists and Technicians

Take x-rays and CAT scans or administer nonradioactive materials into patient's bloodstream for diagnostic or research purposes. Includes radiologic technologists and technicians who specialize in other scanning modalities.

What it pays
Radiologic Technologists and Technicians earn a median of $38.52/hr — about $80,000 a year. The lowest-paid 10% earn $26.91/hr; the top 10% earn $57.05/hr. (Annual figures are approximate: hourly × 2,080.)

What you'd actually do

Position imaging equipment and adjust controls to set exposure time and distance, according to specification of examination.
Position patient on examining table and set up and adjust equipment to obtain optimum view of specific body area as requested by physician.
Monitor patients' conditions and reactions, reporting abnormal signs to physician.
Explain procedures and observe patients to ensure safety and comfort during scan.
Use radiation safety measures and protection devices to comply with government regulations and to ensure safety of patients and staff.
Review and evaluate developed x-rays, video tape, or computer-generated information to determine if images are satisfactory for diagnostic purposes.

How you get there

Typical entry-level education: Associate degree. Overall preparation: medium preparation (Job Zone 3 of 5).

The feel of the work

The work is mostly indoors; you're around people constantly; precision matters — small details carry weight. (Compared against the other 818 careers in the guide.)

Working for yourself

About 0.4% of radiologic technologists and technicians are self-employed.

Who it tends to fit

This work tends to fit people who are hands-on, organized and detail-focused and analytical.

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Quick questions

How much does a radiologic technologists and technician make?: The median pay is $38.52 per hour — roughly $80,000 a year, with the real range running from about $26.91/hr (10th percentile) to $57.05/hr (90th percentile). Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Do you need a degree to be a radiologic technologists and technician?: The typical entry-level education is: Associate degree. Overall preparation level: medium preparation (Job Zone 3 of 5).
What does a radiologic technologists and technician actually do all day?: Position imaging equipment and adjust controls to set exposure time and distance, according to specification of examination. Position patient on examining table and set up and adjust equipment to obtain optimum view of specific body area as requested by physician. Monitor patients' conditions and reactions, reporting abnormal signs to physician.

Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS. Tasks & interests: O*NET. Career pathways shown in the app are draft archetypes — verify before relying on them. Trailhead is a free career guide for students — honest numbers, no hype.

Trailhead is operated by FLEXVermont LLC. It is intended for high-school students age 13 and older, and the educators and families who support them, and is not directed to children under 13. Trailhead is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. It does not offer professional, financial, or career advice, and its wage figures and pathways are estimates that may not fit your situation — they should not be relied on as the sole basis for any decision.