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Hospital Systems
Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, HCA Healthcare
Radiologic Technologists and Technicians
Radiologic technologists and technicians create X-ray and fluoroscopy images that help doctors spot fractures, lung problems, blockages, and other conditions. They spend a lot of the day positioning patients, tuning equipment, and checking whether the image is clear enough to use, often while helping people who are in pain or have trouble moving. The work is steady and hands-on, but it demands strict radiation safety and very little room for sloppy positioning or exposure settings.
Also known as Radiologic TechnologistRadiology TechnologistX-Ray TechnologistX-Ray TechnicianRadiology Tech
Median Salary
$77,660
Mean $79,760
U.S. Workforce
~223K
12.9K openings per year
10-Year Growth
+4.3%
228K to 237.8K
Entry Education
Associate's degree
+ None experience
What This Role Looks Like in Practice
Radiologic Technologists and Technicians sits in the Healthcare category. In practical terms, this role combines day-to-day execution, cross-team coordination, and consistent decision-making under real business constraints.
U.S. employment is currently about ~223K workers, with a median annual pay of $77,660 and roughly 12.9K openings each year. Based on BLS projections, total employment is expected to grow from 228 K in 2024 to 237.8K in 2034.
Most hiring paths start with Associate's degree in radiography, and employers typically expect none of related experience. Many careers in this track begin around Radiology Aide and can progress toward Imaging Supervisor. High-value skills usually include X-Ray and Fluoroscopy Equipment Operation, PACS, RIS & DICOM Imaging Systems, and Radiation Safety, Shielding & Dosimetry, paired with soft skills such as Active listening, Patient communication, and Empathy and tact.
Core Responsibilities
- Set up the exam room and make sure the imaging machine, shields, and supplies are ready before the patient arrives.
- Help patients get into the right position for the scan, including people who are injured, weak, or having trouble moving.
- Ask about symptoms and medical history so the exam matches what the doctor needs to see.
- Take X-rays or live fluoroscopy images and adjust the machine settings to get a clear picture.
Keep exploring: more Healthcare careers or browse all job titles.
A Day in the Life
01 Set up the exam room and make sure the imaging machine, shields, and supplies are ready before the patient arrives.
02 Help patients get into the right position for the scan, including people who are injured, weak, or having trouble moving.
03 Ask about symptoms and medical history so the exam matches what the doctor needs to see.
04 Take X-rays or live fluoroscopy images and adjust the machine settings to get a clear picture.
05 Check each image right away to make sure it is sharp, complete, and usable before ending the exam.
06 Follow radiation-safety procedures and coordinate patient flow so exams move smoothly through the department.
Industries That Hire
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Outpatient Imaging Centers
RadNet, SimonMed Imaging, Akumin
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Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Clinics
OrthoCarolina, Rothman Orthopaedics, Hospital for Special Surgery
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Emergency and Urgent Care
Concentra, Carbon Health, AFC Urgent Care
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Academic Medical Centers
Johns Hopkins Medicine, NYU Langone Health, Stanford Health Care
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Mobile and Portable Imaging Services
TridentCare, Shared Imaging, StatRad
Pros and Cons
Advantages
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The pay is solid for a role that usually starts with an associate's degree, with a mean annual wage of $79,760 and a median of $77,660.
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Job demand is steady rather than fragile, with about 12.9K annual openings projected.
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You can work in very different settings, from hospitals to outpatient centers to orthopedic practices, which gives you options if you want a better schedule or different patient mix.
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The work is hands-on and concrete: you take the image, check it, and see immediately whether you got what the doctor needs.
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You do not need years of prior experience or on-the-job training to enter the field, so the path into the occupation is relatively direct.
Challenges
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Growth is only 4.3% from 2024 to 2034, so this is not a fast-expanding field and competition for the best jobs can still be real.
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A lot of the job is physically demanding, including standing for long periods, moving equipment, and helping lift or reposition patients who are in pain or cannot move well.
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Radiation safety is a constant responsibility, so even routine exams require careful attention to shielding, exposure settings, and procedure rules.
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The work schedule is often tied to the clinic or hospital, which can mean evenings, weekends, or urgent cases instead of a predictable 9-to-5 day.
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There can be a ceiling unless you specialize or move into management, because wage growth often depends on adding a modality like CT or MRI, or stepping into a supervisory role.
Career Progression
Radiology Aide
0-2 years
$30K-$40K
Supports the imaging department by helping with room prep, patient transport, and day-to-day organization.
Junior Radiologic Technologist
1-3 years
$45K-$60K
Performs routine exams under supervision and builds speed with patient positioning, machine setup, and documentation.
Radiologic Technologist THIS ROLE
3-7 years
$72K-$90K
Handles standard X-rays and fluoroscopy more independently, checks image quality, and keeps exams safe and on schedule.
Lead Radiologic Technologist
7-12 years
$92K-$108K
Trains newer staff, handles more complex cases, and helps keep patient flow moving through the department.
Imaging Supervisor
10+ years
$110K-$135K
Oversees staffing, quality control, compliance, and equipment readiness across one or more imaging rooms.
Education Paths
Associate's degree in radiography
The most common entry point, held by 72.85% of workers in this role.
Post-secondary certificate in radiologic technology
A shorter certificate path, used by 16.52% of workers, can work if it meets state licensing and clinical training requirements.
Bachelor's degree in radiologic sciences or imaging
A four-year degree is less common, used by 10.63% of workers, and can help if you want to move toward advanced imaging or supervision.
State-approved certificate plus ARRT certification
Some workers enter through a credential-based route after clinical training, especially if they are switching from another healthcare job.
Key Skills
Technical
X-Ray and Fluoroscopy Equipment Operation 75%
PACS, RIS & DICOM Imaging Systems 73%
Radiation Safety, Shielding & Dosimetry 71%
Patient Positioning & Exposure Settings 70%
Image Quality Review & QA Checks 68%
EHR Charting & Exam Documentation 65%
Soft Skills
Active listeningPatient communicationEmpathy and tactAttention to detailCritical thinkingTeam coordination Job Outlook and Trends
+4.3%
Projected growth (2024-2034)
12.9K
Annual job openings
Employment is projected to rise from 228K to 237.8 K over the next decade, representing 4.3% growth. Around 12.9 K openings per year include both newly created roles and replacement hiring from turnover.
Remote availability is currently Rare. Demand remains strongest where employers need practical domain knowledge plus modern workflow and data skills.