Radiologic Technologists and Technicians: Job Description
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.
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What Do Radiologic Technologists and Technicians Do?
The core tasks performed by radiologic technologists and technicians cover:
- 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.
- Determine patients' x-ray needs by reading requests or instructions from physicians.
- Prepare contrast material, radiopharmaceuticals, or anesthetic or antispasmodic drugs under the direction of a radiologist.
Skills and Knowledge
Top radiologic technologists and technicians rely on a mix of skills and domain knowledge.
Top Skills
The abilities most central to this role, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Top Knowledge Areas
Types of Radiologic Technologists and Technicians Jobs
Common job titles for this role include:
- 3D Technologist
- Angiogram Special Procedures Technologist
- CAT Technologist (Computed Axial Tomography Technologist)
- CT Radiology Technologist (Computerized Tomography Radiology Technologist)
- CT Scan Special Procedures Technologist (Computed Tomography Scan Special Procedures Technologist)
- CT Scan Tech (Computed Tomography Scan Technologist)
- CT Scanner Operator (Computed Tomography Scanner Operator)
- CT Tech (Computer Tomography Technician)
How Many Radiologic Technologists and Technicians Are There?
There are roughly 2,987,940 radiologic technologists and technicians working in the United States today. This occupation is expected to grow by +13.3% over the projection horizon.
How Much Do Radiologic Technologists and Technicians Make?
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual median | $137,802 |
| Hourly median | $66.25 |
| 10th percentile | $77,272 |
| 25th percentile | $107,537 |
| 75th percentile | $168,067 |
| 90th percentile | $198,332 |
Pay can vary substantially based on experience, location, and industry.
How Much Do Radiologic Technologists and Technicians Make in Different U.S. States?
| State | Annual median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $107,670 |
| Massachusetts | $99,910 |
| Hawaii | $99,670 |
| Oregon | $99,530 |
| District of Columbia | $99,080 |
| Washington | $93,920 |
| New York | $91,520 |
| Nevada | $88,120 |
| Alaska | $85,870 |
| New Jersey | $85,520 |
| Vermont | $85,450 |
| Connecticut | $85,370 |
| Rhode Island | $84,630 |
| Delaware | $84,570 |
| Arizona | $84,480 |
| Colorado | $83,740 |
| Virgin Islands | $82,060 |
| New Hampshire | $82,010 |
| Minnesota | $80,960 |
| Utah | $80,080 |
| Virginia | $79,670 |
| Maryland | $79,630 |
| Idaho | $78,000 |
| Illinois | $77,890 |
| Maine | $77,750 |
| Wyoming | $77,350 |
| Texas | $76,800 |
| Indiana | $76,600 |
| Wisconsin | $76,200 |
| Ohio | $75,480 |
| Montana | $75,280 |
| New Mexico | $74,060 |
| Florida | $71,190 |
| Kansas | $68,740 |
| Nebraska | $68,520 |
| Michigan | $68,480 |
| Pennsylvania | $68,010 |
| Georgia | $67,270 |
| North Carolina | $67,150 |
| Missouri | $67,120 |
| West Virginia | $66,780 |
| Oklahoma | $66,610 |
| South Dakota | $66,320 |
| South Carolina | $65,100 |
| Kentucky | $64,840 |
| Iowa | $64,350 |
| Tennessee | $63,940 |
| North Dakota | $63,850 |
| Louisiana | $62,760 |
| Arkansas | $60,430 |
| Alabama | $56,790 |
| Mississippi | $53,340 |
| Guam | $50,510 |
| Puerto Rico | $29,340 |
Where Radiologic Technologists and Technicians Earn the Most
Compensation for radiologic technologists and technicians vary by region. The following regions pay the most:
| Region | Median annual wage | Share of U.S. jobs | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|
| Far Western US | $103,521 | 12.7% | 0.76 |
| New England | $90,635 | 5.0% | 1.06 |
| Middle Atlantic | $83,120 | 15.1% | 1.00 |
| Rocky Mountains | $80,813 | 3.7% | 0.95 |
| Southwest | $76,760 | 12.6% | 1.01 |
| Great Lakes | $74,814 | 15.3% | 1.09 |
| Plains States | $70,385 | 7.4% | 1.08 |
| Southeast | $67,030 | 27.5% | 1.14 |
Top Metro Areas
| Metro area | State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vallejo, CA | CA | $169,020 | 220 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | CA | $157,170 | 1,040 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | CA | $136,730 | 2,580 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | CA | $132,830 | 190 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | CA | $130,710 | 1,250 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | CA | $126,180 | 280 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | CA | $124,370 | 120 |
| Modesto, CA | CA | $112,920 | 270 |
Which Industries Hire Radiologic Technologists and Technicians
Most radiologic technologists and technicians are found across these industries:
| Industry | Employment | Median annual wage |
|---|---|---|
| Health Care and Social Assistance | 205,960 | $77,310 |
| Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 7,080 | $81,380 |
| Educational Services | 1,400 | $83,980 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 860 | $73,520 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | 830 | $88,790 |
Radiologic Technologists and Technicians work in the following industries:
Tools and Technology
- Medical software: eClinicalWorks EHR software (hot technology)
- Medical software: MEDITECH software (hot technology)
- Spreadsheet software: Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
- Office suite software: Microsoft Office software (hot technology)
- Electronic mail software: Microsoft Outlook (hot technology)
- Presentation software: Microsoft PowerPoint (hot technology)
- Word processing software: Microsoft Word (hot technology)
- Object or component oriented development software: R (hot technology)
The Day-to-Day Environment
The on-the-job environment of radiologic technologists and technicians is shaped by the following characteristics:
- Contact With Others
- Exposed to Disease or Infections
- Telephone Conversations
- Frequency of Decision Making
- Physical Proximity
Education and Training
Entry-level radiologic technologists and technicians positions require an associate’s degree as the typical entry-level education. This career aligns with Medium Preparation Needed (Job Zone 3), indicating the level of preparation typically expected.
Related Careers
Similar Occupations
- Anesthesiologist Assistants (Supplemental)
- Radiation Therapists (Primary-Short)
- Respiratory Therapists (Supplemental)
- Cardiologists (Supplemental)
- Radiologists (Supplemental)
- Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric (Supplemental)
- Pediatric Surgeons (Supplemental)
- Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists (Supplemental)
Degree Programs
Aspiring radiologic technologists and technicians typically earn programs in:
Health Professions and Related Programs
3 programs across 1 majors
References
Data on this page comes from the following authoritative sources:
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for employment and wage data by state and industry.
- BLS Employment Projections for total employment and growth forecasts.
- O*NET (Occupational Information Network) for skills, knowledge, tasks, work activities, work context, technology, and education-zone data.
SOC code: 29-2034.00 (Radiologic Technologists and Technicians).
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