Radiologic Technologists and Technicians
SOC code 29-2034 · O*NET-SOC 29-2034.00 · Medium preparation needed · Healthcare
Radiologic technology is a two-year-degree route into diagnostic imaging, with licensure in most states. Technologists who add modalities — CT, MRI, mammography — typically move up the pay range with each credential.
Radiologic Technologists and Technicians pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$80,110
a year
Hourly
$38.52
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$83,840
$40.31 per hour
Middle 50%
$64,810 – $98,750
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$55,980 – $118,660
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
230,490
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $55,980
- $26.91/hr
- 25th percentile
- $64,810
- $31.16/hr
- Median percentile
- $80,110
- $38.52/hr
- 75th percentile
- $98,750
- $47.47/hr
- 90th percentile
- $118,660
- $57.05/hr
What do radiologic technologists and technicians do?
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.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Explain procedures and observe patients to ensure safety and comfort during scan.
- Process exposed radiographs using film processors or computer generated methods.
- Perform procedures, such as linear tomography, mammography, sonograms, joint and cyst aspirations, routine contrast studies, routine fluoroscopy, or examinations of the head, trunk, or extremities under supervision of physician.
- Record, process, and maintain patient data or treatment records and prepare reports.
- Prepare contrast material, radiopharmaceuticals, or anesthetic or antispasmodic drugs under the direction of a radiologist.
- Complete quality control activities, monitor equipment operation, and report malfunctioning equipment to supervisor.
- Position patient on examining table and set up and adjust equipment to obtain optimum view of specific body area as requested by physician.
- Review and evaluate developed x-rays, video tape, or computer-generated information to determine if images are satisfactory for diagnostic purposes.
How to qualify for this work
Preparation level: zone 3 — Medium preparation needed
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- 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.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
The federal survey did not capture education levels for this specific occupation, so the preparation-level card above is the best guide to the entry route.
Common questions
How much does a radiologic technologists and technicians earn?
The national median is $80,110 a year. The full range runs from $55,980 at the 10th percentile to $118,660 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a radiologic technologists and technicians without a degree?
Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 3, meaning the typical entry route is most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Reading Comprehension3.8/5
- Active Listening3.8/5
- Speaking3.4/5
- Critical Thinking3.3/5
- Monitoring3.3/5
- Writing3.0/5
Knowledge areas
- English Language4.4/5
- Medicine and Dentistry4.2/5
- Customer and Personal Service4.1/5
- Biology4.1/5
- Physics4.0/5
- Computers and Electronics3.8/5
- Mathematics3.6/5
- Chemistry3.5/5
Transferable strengths: Social Perceptiveness, Service Orientation, Operations Monitoring, Operation and Control.