Radiology Technician

Healthful Vitality | 12/01/2021 | Radiology Technician

Radiology technicians use X-rays and other technologies to create images that aid physicians and healthcare professionals diagnose and manage different health conditions. In addition to using X-rays, radiology technicians may use CT (computed tomography) scans, MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), and other technologies to develop images.

What do Radiology Technicians Do?

Radiology technician—also known as a radiologic technician, radiographers, and radiology technologists—plays a major role to identify certain conditions, such as ulcers, broken bones, or cancers. True, as a radiology technician, you should be aware of radiation safety measures to comply with government rules and regulations and ensure the safety of yourself and your patients.

According to a report of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), jobs for radiology technicians are likely to grow by 9-10% from 2020 to 2030, which means that now could be the best time to become a radiology technician.

Workplaces for Radiology Technologists

Radiology technologists mostly work in hospitals. The following is a list of some common workplaces and the percentage of radiology technicians they employ, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Common workplaces	Percentage
Hospitals	60%
Physician offices	19%
Outpatient care centers	7%
Medical diagnostic labs	7%
Federal facilities like veterans administration	3%

Education Requirements

There are formal education programs for radiology technologists, leading to a certificate, associate degree, or a bachelor’s degree. The most common programs are associate degree programs, which take about 2 years to complete.

Both associate degree and bachelor’s degree programs include both classroom and clinical training. On may expect to study the following subjects:

• Anatomy
• Pathology
• Medical ethics
• Patient care
• Image evaluation
• Radiation physics and protection

How Much Do Radiology Technicians Make?

The average annual salary of radiology technologists is $61,500 in the United States as of October 2021, with the range between $56,000 and $67,800. Remember, just like other professions, several different factors determine the average annual salary of a Radiology technologist.

Factors Affecting the Salary of a Radiology Technician

As with most other careers, location, qualification, experience, and type of employer are the greatest factors to determine the earning capacity of a radiology technologist. Another major factor that can influence the salary of a radiology technician is certification. Obtaining multiple certifications in multiple specialties can reflect a handsome salary.

Does Location Matters?

Radiology technicians earn a higher salary in some states in the U.S. as compared to other states. For instance, a Radiology technologist in California, Hawaii, Columbia, Massachusetts, and Alaska usually earn, on average, much higher salaries than the other states.

Highest Paying States for Radiology Technologists

Besides the other factors, location and certification are perhaps the main variables that influence the wages and salary of a Radiology technologist. Sure, other factors (e.g. experience and education) are also important as well.

According to the BLS, the highest paying states in the United States to work as a Radiology technician are:

Highest Paying States	Average Annual Salary
California	$86,120
Hawaii	$82,680
Columbia	$79,430
Massachusetts	$78,300
Alaska	$76,850

Final Thoughts

As discussed, the salary and wages of a radiology technician greatly vary depending on the location in which one lives. This is one of the major factors to be considered before entering the field. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the employment of radiologic technicians is likely to increase about 9 percent through 2030. This rapid growth can be attributed to the higher ratio of the U.S. aging population that requires more diagnostic imaging procedures.

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