X-ray tech wages

What is an X-ray technician and what is a radiology technologist?

For readers looking into this career path for the first time, you’ll be happy to know that X-ray technician and radiology technologist are simply different names for the same job function. They are in charge of capturing images of the inside of the human body. They are also responsible for providing bedside manners that will keep anxious patients at ease and explaining imaging purposes and procedures. Doctors use images captured by radiology technologists for diagnoses.

Training and credentials

An associate’s degree is required along with cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certifications. Some states require licensing as well.

Make sure a school has the appropriate credentials before enrolling in coursework. The school must be accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). The school must also be accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, according to ARRT. There are many schools and accreditation agencies that are not legitimate. Click on the following link to read more on “degree mills” and “accreditation mills”.

JRCERT’s guidance on degree and accreditation mills

Wages

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS):

The median annual wage for radiologic technologists was $61,370 in May 2021..

X-ray technicians may specialize in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and earn additional income. Additional certification and experience are needed to specialize in MRI. The BLS states on its website that

The median annual wage for MRI technologists was $77,360 in May 2021…

Below are salaries for radiologic technology positions throughout the country. The positions are from USAJOBS, and wage estimates are from the BLS website. In the future, non-federal jobs will be added to the list.

Veterans Affairs — Veterans Health Administration: diagnostic radiologic technologist (MR) — Lexington, KY

Diagnostic radiologic technologist (MR)

Lexington, KY

$53,232.00 to $68,777.00 per year

Lexington diagnostic radiologic technologist (MR) job posting

U.S. Navy — agency wide

Diagnostic radiologic technologist

San Diego, CA

$38,921.00 to $105,640.00 per year

San Diego diagnostic radiologic technologist job posting

Veterans Affairs — Veterans Health Administration: diagnostic radiologic technologist (CT) — Marion, IL

Diagnostic radiologic technologist (CT)

Marion, IL

$52,905.00 to $68,777.00 per year

Marion diagnostic radiologic technologist (CT) job posting

U.S. Air Force — agency wide

Diagnostic radiologic technologist — multiple locations

Elmendorf, AK

Maxwell AFB, AL

Little Rock, AR

Davis Monthan AFB, AZ

$33,567.00 to $71,764.00 per year

Air Force diagnostic radiologic technologist job postings

U.S. Army Medical Command

Diagnostic radiologic technologist

Tripler Army Medical Center, HI

$60,636.00 to $77,002.00 / Per Year

Tripler Army Medical Center diagnostic radiologic technologist job posting

Indian Health Service

Pine Ridge, SD

$49,572.00 to $62,269.00 per year

Pine Ridge diagnostic radiologic technologist job posting