Career comparison
Radiologic Technologist vs. Radiologist
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Radiologists earn more at the median ($420,860 vs. $80,110), while radiologic technologists usually get to work faster (2 years of training). Radiologic technologists take the X-rays and diagnostic images doctors use to find fractures, disease and injuries. Radiologists read X-rays, CT and MRI scans to diagnose disease.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Radiologic Technologist | Radiologist | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $80,110 ($38.52/hr) | $420,860 ($202.34/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $55,980 – $118,660 | $89,010 – $594,410 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +5.0% (faster than average) | +3.4% (about as fast as average) |
| Openings per year | 13,000 | 700 |
| Typical entry education | Associate's degree | Doctoral or professional degree |
| Training time | 2 years | 13 years after high school |
| Key credential | ARRT Radiography (R) | ABR board certification |
| Work setting | Technologists work in hospital radiology departments, emergency departments, imaging centers and clinics. | Radiologists work in hospital reading rooms, imaging centers and from home through teleradiology.. |
What each job does
Radiologic Technologist
- 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
Radiologist
- Interpret medical images
- Diagnose disease and injuries
- Consult with other physicians
- Perform image-guided procedures
- Supervise imaging protocols
How they’re similar
Both careers involve indoor work, high responsibility, and high-pay. Both are part of the healthcare field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose radiologic technologist if…
- I’m interested in anatomy and how the body works
- I like technology and equipment
- I can stay calm with patients in pain
Choose radiologist if…
- I’m visual and analytical
- I like technology
- I want remote work options
Still torn? Take the Radiologic Technologist fit quiz and the Radiologist fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, radiologic technologist or radiologist?
Radiologists earn more at the median: $420,860 versus $80,110 for radiologic technologists, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Radiologic Technologists typically train faster (2 years) than radiologists (13 years after high school).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects radiologic technologists to grow +5.0% from 2025–35, compared with +3.4% for radiologists.