Healthcare · Career brief

Radiologic Technologist

Is it a good career to pursue?

The 30-second read

Radiologic Technologist at a glance

Six signals to look at before you spend time on the full guide.

1Pay

$80,110

Above the middle on pay

2025 national median. Above the middle of ChooseField careers for pay.

2Demand

Steady projected growth

Projected employment growth for 2025–2035. Above the middle of ChooseField careers for growth.

3Openings

13,000

Above the middle on opening volume

Average openings per year in 2025–2035, including replacement hiring. Above the middle of ChooseField careers for openings.

4Route in

Associate degree

Usually a two-year-level credential or equivalent route

Associate's degree. Prior related work is not typically required.

5The work

Hands-on

Practical work with tools, systems, or physical environments

Position imaging equipment and adjust controls to set exposure time and distance, according to specification of examination.

6The catch

Know this first

What could make this a poor fit

Long periods on your feet, patient positioning, and sometimes lifting or turning patients.

ChooseField take

The national benchmarks are mixed, so the work itself and the route in matter more than any standout pay or demand signal. It makes the most sense if hands-on work appeals to you and you are comfortable with an associate-degree path. Main tradeoff: Long periods on your feet, patient positioning, and sometimes lifting or turning patients.

Before choosing, compare:Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Registered Nurse Dental Hygienist

National labor-market measures: BLS 2025 wages and 2025–2035 projections. Work-profile signals: O*NET. See sources and caveats.

Compare Radiologic Technologist with another field Explore rankings in Healthcare Open shareable infographic

Want the evidence behind the snapshot?

Market and path

Pay, outlook, and the route in

National median pay (2025)

$80,110

A midpoint for workers nationwide, not a starting salary.

2025–2035 outlook

5%employment growth13,000openings per year

Openings include replacement hiring, not only newly created jobs.

Typical entry route

An associate degree with clinical training is typical. Check the program's full timeline, certification eligibility, and state licensing requirements before estimating when you can start paid work.

BLS reports the usual education, related experience, and on-the-job training, not a guaranteed minimum for every employer.

BLS qualification guidance · Reviewed September 6, 2026.

2025 employment

234,200

Estimated workers in this occupation across the United States.

Source: BLS 2025 wages and 2025–2035 occupational projections ↗ · Radiologic technologists and technicians (29-2034).

Actual responsibilities

What you would be trusted to own

Selected O*NET task statements, not a list of traits that applies to almost every career.

Position imaging equipment and adjust controls to set exposure time and distance, according to specification of examination.
Monitor patients' conditions and reactions, reporting abnormal signs to physician.
Explain procedures and observe patients to ensure safety and comfort during scan.
Use radiation safety measures and protection devices to comply with government regulations and to ensure safety of patients and staff.

Decision-changing realities

What could make this a poor fit

Long periods on your feet, patient positioning, and sometimes lifting or turning patients.
Hospital imaging may require evening, weekend, or overnight coverage; outpatient schedules can differ.

Work profile

What the work emphasizes

O*NET importance scores. Bars are relative to the highest score shown within this chart.

Assisting and Caring for Others4.9
Working with Computers4.3
Documenting/Recording Information4.0
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge4.0
Controlling Machines and Processes4.0

Interest profile

Career interests

O*NET interest scores describe work someone may enjoy, not personality requirements. Bars are relative to the highest score shown within this chart.

Relative mix of the interest scores below, not percentages of your workday.

Realistic5.9
Conventional5.1
Investigative4.9
Social3.4
Artistic1.0
Enterprising1.0

Preparation

What the training must make you competent at

Subject matter

Medicine and Dentistry Computers and Electronics Public Safety and Security Psychology

Software and tools named in job postings

Before choosing the major or training

Run a cheaper test first

Try an approved first-aid, CPR, patient-care, or health-science workshop. Use supervised training or simulation only.
Ask an early-career worker which beginner task consumes the most time, what makes new hires quit, and what school or training failed to simulate.

Field-specific evidence

What changes the picture

Radiography vacancy rate

15.6%

ASRT 2025 vacancy rate, still elevated.

ASRT · 2025 ↗

CT vacancy rate

19.4%

All-time high CT vacancy rate in the 2025 ASRT survey.

ASRT · 2025 ↗

MRI vacancy rate

17.4%

MRI vacancy rate reported in the 2025 ASRT survey.

ASRT · 2025 ↗

The fuller career guide

How the evidence fits together

The tradeoff that matters most

Radiologic technology has a relatively short entry path and unusually direct vacancy evidence. ASRT's vacancy rates across radiography, CT, and MRI strengthen the demand case, while also reminding you that this is hands-on clinical work.

Working conditions and hours

Long periods on your feet, patient positioning, and sometimes lifting or turning patients.

Hospital imaging may require evening, weekend, or overnight coverage; outpatient schedules can differ.

BLS: entry routes, workplace, and schedules · Reviewed September 6, 2026. BLS 2025 wages and 2025–2035 projections.

Common questions

Questions people ask about this career

Is radiology tech a good career?

Consider this field if its core work interests you: take x-rays and CAT scans or administer nonradioactive materials into patient's bloodstream for diagnostic or research purposes. Try an introductory project, class, or permitted observation before committing to training. Compare the actual cost and required experience with entry-level work available where you plan to live.

Radiologic technologist salary

The national median annual wage in May 2025 was $80,110. This is a benchmark rather than an expected starting salary; actual compensation varies by experience, location, employer, specialty, credentials, and hours.

X-ray tech vs MRI tech

Radiologic technologists use x rays and may specialize in CT. MRI technologists operate scanners using magnetic fields. Both involve patient positioning and safety procedures; MRI has distinct screening and training requirements. Check the credential route for the modality you want rather than assuming radiography qualification automatically covers MRI.

Radiology tech vs nursing

Consider Radiologic Technologist if you want to take x-rays and CAT scans or administer nonradioactive materials into patient's bloodstream for diagnostic or research purposes. Consider Registered Nurse if you would rather assess patient health problems and needs, develop and implement nursing care plans, and maintain medical records. Compare a sample task and the qualification requirements for each before choosing between them.

Adjacent options