According to the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Radiologic and MRI Technologists, the median annual wage for radiologic technologists and technicians was $80,110 in May 2025. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $55,980, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $118,660. That works out to about $38.50 an hour at the median.
Where you land in that range depends on three things: the state you work in, the imaging specialty you practice, and how many years of hands-on experience you have. A new X-ray tech in a low-paying state may start near the bottom. An experienced CT or MRI tech in a high-paying state can clear six figures. This guide breaks down each factor with current data, so you can see what you should be earning and what moves your pay up.
How Much Does a Radiologic Technologist Make Right Now?
The $80,110 median means half of all rad techs earn more and half earn less. It’s the most reliable “middle” number for the profession, but it hides a lot of movement on either side.
Wide-spread. A gap of more than $60,000 separates the lowest and highest earners who hold the same job title, and most of that gap comes down to location, specialty, and experience, which we cover one by one below.
Why Two Trusted Sources Show Different Numbers
You may see a higher figure from the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT). The mean annual full-time compensation for radiologic technologists across the nation, averaged over all disciplines, was $86,484 in the ASRT Radiologic Technologist Wage and Salary Survey 2024.
Both numbers are accurate. They measure different things. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) surveys employers and reports a median. The ASRT surveys technologists directly, reports an average, and includes higher-paid fields such as radiation therapy and medical dosimetry. Averages get pulled up by top earners. So use the BLS median when you want a realistic number for a general X-ray tech, and use the ASRT data when you want to compare pay across specialties.
Radiologic Technologist Pay by State
Radiologic technologist salaries vary by state, reflecting differences in living costs, demand for healthcare professionals, and local job markets. States with larger healthcare systems and higher demand may offer stronger earning opportunities, while pay levels can differ across regions. Comparing local salary ranges can help you understand what to expect and identify locations that match your career and financial goals.
Here is how the top and bottom states compare, using median annual wages from the BLS state and area wage data for May 2025.
| State | Median Annual Wage | Approx. Hourly Wage |
| California | $121,260 | $58.30 |
| Massachusetts | $103,620 | $49.82 |
| District of Columbia | $102,770 | $49.41 |
| Oregon | $102,290 | $49.18 |
| Washington | $102,090 | $49.08 |
| Hawaii | $101,700 | $48.89 |
| Alabama | $60,700 | $29.18 |
| Mississippi | $59,300 | $28.51 |
Only six places pay a median above $100,000, and most of them sit on the West Coast or in the Northeast. Southern states tend to cluster near the bottom of the list.
Rad Tech Salary in California: Why It Leads the Country
Large hospital systems, steady demand for imaging, and high living costs all help push California wages to the top of the national list.
Contract and staff radiologic technologist positions may offer different compensation structures. Staff roles typically provide fixed salaries and employment benefits, while contract positions may offer hourly rates based on assignment length, location, and demand. Comparing the full compensation package helps technologists evaluate each opportunity.
Does a Higher State Salary Mean More Money in Your Pocket?
Not always. A six-figure salary in a city with high rent and state income tax can stretch less than a smaller paycheck in a cheaper area.
Before you chase the highest number, compare housing, state income tax, and commute costs. A mid-paying state with low living costs can be the smarter move, especially in your first few years.
How Specialty and Modality Affect Salary
A radiologic technologist’s salary often varies by specialty and imaging modality. General radiography provides a foundation, while advanced modalities such as CT, MRI, mammography, and interventional radiology require additional technical skills and certifications. These qualifications can open opportunities for higher-paying positions, with compensation varying by specialty, experience, and workplace.
Which Certifications Usually Pay Off First?
CT is the most common next step because it builds directly on X-ray skills. Among technologists who practice a secondary discipline, the most common areas were radiography (40.0%), computed tomography (26.1%), and bone densitometry (15.4%). MRI and mammography are also popular add-ons.
The best choice depends on your local job market. Check openings near you and see which modality shows up most often, because a credential that local hospitals are short on gives you more bargaining power than one that only looks good on paper.
How Work Settings Affect Radiologic Technologist Salaries
Your work setting changes your pay even inside the same city. Here are the BLS median annual wages for radiologic technologists in their top industries:
| Work Setting | Median Annual Wage (BLS, May 2025) |
| Outpatient care centers | $84,720 |
| Hospitals (state, local, and private) | $80,650 |
| Medical and diagnostic laboratories | $78,400 |
| Offices of physicians | $74,540 |
Hospitals still employ the biggest share of techs. Hospitals account for 60% of radiologic technologist jobs, followed by offices of physicians at 17%. Physician offices pay less, but they often come with more regular daytime hours, which some techs value more than a higher rate.
X-Ray Tech Salary vs. Radiologic Technologist Salary: Are They the Same?
Mostly, yes. “X-ray tech,” “rad tech,” and “radiographer” usually describe the same certified professional.
There is one exception worth knowing. Some states allow limited-scope X-ray operators who can only image certain body parts, such as hands, feet, or the chest. These roles need less training and usually pay less than a fully certified radiologic technologist. When you compare salary data, make sure you are looking at the right job level.
How to Compare Job Offers and Raise Your Pay
A higher hourly rate does not always mean a better offer. Run through these points before you sign.
Convert hourly pay to annual pay. Multiply the hourly rate by 2,080 for a full-time year. A $67 hourly rate equals $139,360 if you work full-time all year.
Price the benefits. Staff jobs often include health insurance and retirement matching. If an offer leaves those out, set aside money to cover them yourself before you compare it with a staff role.
Ask about shift differentials. Nights, weekends, and on-call shifts often pay extra, and that extra can add up quickly over a year.
Ask about a sign-on bonus. In the ASRT survey, 16.3% of techs received a signing bonus when they started their current job, and the median amount was $5,000.
Plan for raises. About 72.8% of techs received a raise in the past 12 months, but the median increase was 3%. A new credential or a well-timed job change usually moves your pay faster than waiting for annual raises.
When you are ready to compare current openings and hourly rates, browse Radiologic Technologist Jobs.
Final Takeaway
Think of rad tech pay as a range you can climb on purpose. Your state sets the starting point, your modality and years on the job shape the middle, and a lead role or second credential pushes you toward the top. Look at the whole offer, not just the hourly rate, and you will make a smarter career move.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do rad techs get paid hourly or salary?
Most are paid by the hour. In the ASRT survey, 87.3% of technologists said they earn an hourly wage, while 12.7% are salaried. That makes overtime and shift differentials a big part of total pay.
Is a sonographer or a radiologic technologist better paid?
Sonographers come out ahead. The BLS lists a 2025 median of $96,590 for diagnostic medical sonographers. Many rad techs who want higher pay without leaving imaging look at sonography as a second career path.
Will AI replace radiologic technologists?
Not anytime soon. Someone still has to position patients, run the equipment, and keep radiation exposure safe. The BLS projects employment for radiologic and MRI technologists to grow 5 percent from 2025 to 2035, with about 15,300 openings each year on average.
How long does it take to start earning as a rad tech?
Radiologic technologists typically need an associate’s degree, and most states require them to be licensed or certified. Most associate programs take about two years, including clinical training. After you graduate, you pass the ARRT exam and apply for a state license if your state requires one.
Does a bachelor’s degree increase rad tech pay?
It can. Across all disciplines, technologists with an associate degree averaged $81,546, those with a bachelor’s degree averaged $89,899, and those with a master’s degree averaged $104,024. Higher degrees matter most if you plan to move into management, education, or administration.
