How much do radiologic technologists make?

Radiologic technologists earn a median salary of $80,110 per year ($35/hour). Entry-level X-ray techs start around $55,000-$62,000. Specializing in CT, MRI, or interventional radiology can push salaries to $80,000-$100,000+. Location and modality are the biggest pay factors.

Which radiology specialty pays the most?

Interventional radiology technologists earn the most at $85,000-$110,000+, followed by MRI technologists ($82,000-$95,000) and CT technologists ($78,000-$92,000). Radiation therapists, a related but separate role, earn a median of $80,110. Multi-modality techs who hold CT and MRI credentials command the highest regular salaries.

How long does it take to become a radiology tech?

Most radiologic technologists complete a 2-year associate degree and earn ARRT certification. Bachelor's programs take 4 years but open management and advanced roles. After certification in general radiography, you can add CT, MRI, or mammography credentials with 6-12 months of additional clinical training each.

Radiologic Technologist Salary by State (2026): X-Ray, CT, MRI, & Specialty Pay

Radiologic technologists perform diagnostic imaging that doctors rely on for diagnosis and treatment. Here’s what rad techs earn across modalities, states, and career stages.

Pay at a Glance (BLS Data)

Bureau of Labor Statistics wage estimates for radiologic technologists and technicians, across all industries:

Percentile	Annual Wage	Hourly Equivalent
10th (entry level)	$55,980	$26.91
25th	$64,810	$31.16
50th (median)	$80,110	$38.51
75th	$98,750	$47.48
90th	$118,660	$57.05
Average (mean)	$83,840	$40.31

Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, for Radiologic Technologists and Technicians (all industries). Hourly figures are annual wages divided by 2,080 hours. “Not published” means BLS withheld the estimate, usually because wages are above its top reporting limit.

Rad Tech Salary by Modality

Modality	Median Salary	Entry-Level	Certification
Interventional Radiology	$95,000	$75,000	ARRT (VI)
MRI Technologist	$88,000	$70,000	ARRT (MR)
CT Technologist	$82,000	$65,000	ARRT (CT)
Mammography Technologist	$78,000	$62,000	ARRT (M)
Cardiac Catheterization	$82,000	$65,000	ARRT (CI)
Nuclear Medicine Technologist	$92,000	$72,000	ARRT (N) or NMTCB
Bone Densitometry (DEXA)	$72,000	$58,000	ARRT (BD)
General Radiography (X-Ray)	$68,000	$55,000	ARRT (R)

Rad Tech Salary by Setting

Setting	Median Salary	Notes
Travel/Agency	$90,000-$120,000+	Premium pay, housing stipend
Hospital (Inpatient)	$78,000	Shift differentials for nights/weekends
Outpatient Imaging Center	$73,000	M-F, predictable schedule
Physician Office/Clinic	$65,000	Lower volume, limited modalities
Ambulatory Surgical Center	$72,000	Procedural imaging (C-arm, fluoro)
Government (VA, Military)	$70,000	Strong benefits, structured pay
Mobile Imaging Services	$72,000	Travel between facilities
ER/Trauma Center	$80,000	High-volume, high acuity

Rad Tech Salary by State

Rank	State	Avg Salary	Starting Salary	Median Salary
1	California	$117,950	$70,210	$121,260
2	Massachusetts	$101,910	$75,350	$103,620
3	Washington	$100,900	$66,570	$102,090
4	Oregon	$99,630	$70,760	$102,290
5	New York	$99,000	$67,540	$98,470
6	District of Columbia	$98,860	$59,130	$102,770
7	Alaska	$96,670	$74,210	$98,920
8	Connecticut	$93,530	$68,070	$91,970
9	New Jersey	$93,240	$71,770	$95,000
10	Hawaii	$93,140	$39,150	$101,700
11	Vermont	$91,630	$66,960	$94,540
12	Arizona	$90,020	$61,510	$89,200
13	Colorado	$89,470	$63,270	$87,760
14	Rhode Island	$88,750	$65,840	$85,330
15	Nevada	$88,620	$65,710	$82,910
16	Maryland	$88,260	$68,140	$85,890
17	New Hampshire	$87,410	$64,620	$84,910
18	Minnesota	$87,270	$67,080	$83,400
19	Delaware	$83,340	$61,770	$84,210
20	Virginia	$83,160	$60,000	$80,670
21	Utah	$81,930	$48,150	$81,000
22	Illinois	$80,770	$59,350	$79,930
23	Maine	$80,760	$62,210	$80,080
24	Idaho	$79,940	$60,540	$80,080
25	New Mexico	$79,810	$59,560	$79,940
26	Wisconsin	$79,400	$61,870	$79,140
27	Wyoming	$79,080	$56,750	$77,860
28	Texas	$78,060	$48,550	$78,630
29	Ohio	$76,890	$60,360	$78,320
30	Georgia	$76,120	$49,730	$74,550
31	Indiana	$74,980	$51,090	$77,640
32	North Carolina	$74,770	$52,860	$74,450
33	Florida	$74,760	$51,390	$76,750
34	Pennsylvania	$74,740	$56,430	$76,050
35	Montana	$74,610	$55,750	$77,070
36	Nebraska	$74,600	$54,410	$72,860
37	Kansas	$74,580	$50,940	$76,070
38	Michigan	$74,020	$55,450	$76,420
39	West Virginia	$73,780	$56,270	$74,150
40	Missouri	$73,150	$50,810	$73,080
41	Kentucky	$72,840	$51,740	$69,670
42	North Dakota	$72,690	$60,600	$67,790
43	Oklahoma	$72,490	$49,920	$74,160
44	South Carolina	$71,970	$51,860	$69,600
45	South Dakota	$69,740	$48,730	$65,240
46	Iowa	$69,640	$54,360	$65,930
47	Tennessee	$68,990	$50,540	$64,630
48	Arkansas	$67,880	$46,810	$63,640
49	Louisiana	$66,240	$50,030	$63,680
50	Alabama	$60,800	$41,060	$60,700
51	Mississippi	$59,090	$40,740	$59,300
—	National	$83,840	$55,980	$80,110

Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, 2025 estimates, fetched 2026-09-29. Figures cover Radiologic Technologists and Technicians (cross-industry). Some states are omitted where BLS did not publish a reliable estimate.

Career Path & Salary Progression

Level	Salary Range	Timeline
Student/Intern	$0 (clinical rotations)	2 years
Staff Rad Tech (X-Ray)	$55,000-$68,000	Years 1-3
CT or MRI Certified Tech	$70,000-$88,000	Years 2-5
Multi-Modality Tech (CT + MRI)	$80,000-$95,000	Years 3-7
Lead/Senior Technologist	$82,000-$100,000	Years 5-10
Imaging Supervisor	$85,000-$110,000	Years 7-12
Radiology Manager/Director	$95,000-$130,000	Years 10+

Career	Median Salary	Education	Job Growth
Radiation Therapist	$98,000	Bachelor’s (4 yr)	+2%
Nuclear Medicine Tech	$92,000	Associate (2 yr)	+3%
MRI Technologist	$88,000	Associate + MR cert	+6%
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer	$84,000	Associate (2 yr)	+15%
CT Technologist	$82,000	Associate + CT cert	+6%
Radiologic Technologist	$73,000	Associate (2 yr)	+6%
Surgical Technologist	$60,000	Associate (2 yr)	+6%

How to Maximize Rad Tech Salary

Strategy	Potential Increase
Get CT certification (ARRT CT)	+$8,000-$15,000
Get MRI certification (ARRT MR)	+$10,000-$18,000
Hold multiple modality certifications	+$12,000-$22,000
Travel/agency assignments	+$15,000-$45,000
Work night/weekend shifts	+$3,000-$8,000 (differentials)
Move to a high-paying state	+$10,000-$25,000
Specialize in interventional radiology	+$15,000-$30,000
Take a lead/supervisor role	+$8,000-$20,000
Earn a bachelor’s degree	Opens management track

Rad Tech Income vs. Education Cost

Metric	Value
Associate degree cost	$15,000-$35,000
Bachelor’s degree cost	$40,000-$80,000
Average student debt	$20,000-$35,000
Starting salary	$55,000-$65,000
Debt-to-income ratio	0.3-0.6x
Time to pay off	2-4 years

Low educational investment with a clear path to $80,000-$100,000+ through specialty certifications.

Job Market & Outlook

Factor	Status
Job growth (2025-2035)	5%
Positions added annually	~14,000
Total employed	~250,000
Shortage areas	Rural hospitals, night shifts
Travel tech demand	Very strong
AI impact	Augments work (assists reads), doesn’t replace techs
Aging population effect	Increasing imaging demand

Work-Life Balance

Setting	Typical Schedule	Rating
Outpatient clinic	M-F, 8-5	Excellent
Hospital (day shift)	5x 8hr or 4x 10hr	Good
Hospital (rotating shifts)	Days/nights/weekends	Moderate
ER/Trauma	3x 12hr shifts	Good (but intense)
Travel assignments	13-week contracts	Flexible (but relocating)

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Written by WealthVieu

WealthVieu researches and writes data-driven personal finance guides using primary sources including the IRS, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Federal Reserve, and Census Bureau.

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