Healthcare career

Radiologic Technologist

Also called: X-Ray Technician · Radiographer · Rad Tech · X-Ray Tech

What radiologic technologists do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
What does a radiologic technologist do?

Radiologic technologists position patients and operate X-ray and other imaging equipment to produce diagnostic images, while protecting patients and themselves from unnecessary radiation. The median pay is $80,110 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 2 years, and employment is projected to grow +5.0% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

  • Median pay
    $80,110
    $38.52/hour · May 2025
  • Job growth
    +5.0%
    2025–35, faster than average
  • Openings per year
    13,000
    Average, 2025–35
  • Typical entry education
    Associate's degree
    BLS classification
  • Time to train
    2 years
    Typical program length
  • U.S. jobs
    234,200
    Employment, 2025

What radiologic technologists do

Radiologic technologists, often called X-ray techs, create the images that radiologists and other physicians use to diagnose injuries and disease. They explain procedures, position patients precisely, set exposure factors, take the images and check quality before sending them to the radiologist. Many go on to specialize in CT, MRI, mammography or interventional radiology.

Most technologists complete a two-year accredited associate degree program, pass the ARRT radiography exam and meet state licensing rules. Hospitals employ the most technologists, but imaging centers, urgent care clinics and orthopedic practices hire them too. The work is technical and hands-on, and it puts you at the center of patient care.

Typical duties

  • Review imaging orders and confirm patient identity
  • Explain procedures and answer patient questions
  • Position patients and equipment for the correct views
  • Set exposure factors and capture diagnostic images
  • Apply radiation protection for patients, staff and yourself
  • Check image quality and send images to PACS
  • Assist with fluoroscopy and portable exams

Work environment and schedule

Technologists work in hospital radiology departments, emergency departments, imaging centers and clinics. They spend most of the day on their feet, move and position patients, and push portable machines through the hospital. Radiation safety practices keep exposure low.

Schedule: Hospitals need imaging around the clock, so evenings, nights, weekends and on-call shifts are common. Outpatient imaging centers usually keep daytime hours.

A day in the life

  1. Check equipment, review the schedule and warm up the X-ray tubes.
  2. Image a chest X-ray and a series of ankle views for outpatients.
  3. Take a portable chest X-ray in the ICU on a ventilated patient.
  4. Assist the radiologist with a fluoroscopy swallow study.

See a full day in the life of a radiologic technologist →

Radiologic Technologist salary

Half of radiologic technologists earned more than $80,110 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $55,980 for the lowest 10% to $118,660 for the top 10%.

Full radiologic technologist pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become a radiologic technologist

  1. Complete prerequisites
  2. Finish an accredited radiography program
  3. Pass the ARRT exam
  4. Get your state license
  5. Specialize

Most radiologic technologists complete an associate degree from a program accredited by the JRCERT, then pass the ARRT radiography exam. Certificate programs exist for people who already hold a degree, and bachelor’s programs are common for those who want leadership roles.

Step-by-step guide to becoming a radiologic technologist →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

  • Patient positioning
  • Exposure technique selection
  • Radiation protection (ALARA)
  • Image evaluation
  • Fluoroscopy assistance

People skills

  • Communication with anxious patients
  • Attention to detail
  • Teamwork
  • Composure in emergencies

All radiologic technologist skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Associate degree leads to solid pay
  • Many specialty paths: CT, MRI, mammography, IR
  • Steady demand in hospitals and clinics
  • Mix of technology and patient care

Cons

  • On your feet and lifting patients
  • Nights, weekends and on-call shifts
  • Exposure to illness and stressful trauma cases
  • Strict accuracy and radiation rules

Certifications and licenses

  • ARRT Radiography (R): The national credential most employers and states require.
  • State radiologic technologist license: Required in most states, usually based on the ARRT exam.
  • BLS/CPR: Required by nearly all hospitals.
  • ARRT post-primary credentials: Specialty certifications such as CT, MRI and mammography.

Career path

  1. Student Technologist: Learn positioning and technique in clinical rotations.
  2. Staff Radiologic Technologist: Perform general X-ray, portables and fluoroscopy.
  3. CT, MRI or Mammography Technologist: Earn a post-primary credential and specialize.
  4. Lead Technologist or Imaging Manager: Supervise staff, quality and department operations.

Learn the job before day one

Our Radiologic Technologist training (12 hours, $109.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as position a patient for a PA chest x-ray and apply ALARA during an exam, safety and how to land your first job.

View Radiologic Technologist trainingIs this career right for me?

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Radiologic Technologist FAQ

How long does it take to become an X-ray tech?

Most people complete a two-year associate degree program, then pass the ARRT exam.

Is radiation exposure dangerous for X-ray techs?

Exposure is monitored and kept low through shielding, distance and dosimeters. Following safety practices keeps doses well within federal limits.

Can rad techs specialize?

Yes. Many cross-train into CT, MRI, mammography, interventional radiology or bone densitometry, which can raise pay.

How much does a radiologic technologist make?

The median annual wage for radiologic technologists was $80,110 ($38.52 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $55,980 and the highest 10% earned more than $118,660.

How long does it take to become a radiologic technologist?

Most people need about 2 years of training. Most radiologic technologists complete an associate degree from a program accredited by the JRCERT, then pass the ARRT radiography exam. Certificate programs exist for people who already hold a degree, and bachelor’s programs are common for those who want leadership roles.

Do you need a degree to be a radiologic technologist?

No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “associate's degree” as the typical entry-level education.

More radiologic technologist questions →

Sources

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.

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