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Radiologic Technologists and Technicians

Typical education: Certificate or apprenticeshipHigh pressure

What they do

Take x-rays and CAT scans or administer nonradioactive materials into patient's bloodstream for diagnostic or research purposes. Includes radiologic technologists and technicians who specialize in other scanning modalities.

Kinds of work

  • Realistic: Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals, often outdoors.
  • Conventional: Organizing information, following clear procedures and working with data and details.
  • Investigative: Science, research, figuring out how things work and solving complex problems.

High pressure: How much pressure workers in this job report: deadlines, conflict, dealing with upset people, the cost of mistakes, responsibility for others' safety, competition and long hours. It varies a lot from one employer to the next. Source: U.S. Department of Labor worker surveys.

Pay, tasks and more

Salary

United States $80,110 Median per year · $38.52/hr Most earn $55,980–$118,660

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025.

What you might do

  • Review and evaluate developed x-rays, video tape, or computer-generated information to determine if images are satisfactory for diagnostic purposes.
  • Record, process, and maintain patient data or treatment records and prepare reports.
  • Record, process, and maintain patient data or treatment records and prepare reports.
  • Provide assistance to physicians or other technologists in the performance of more complex procedures.
  • Coordinate work with clerical personnel or other technologists and technicians.
  • Perform supervisory duties, such as developing departmental operating budget, coordinating purchases of supplies or equipment, or preparing work schedules.

Job outlook

United States
5% more jobs by 2035, faster than average · about 13,000 openings a year

Openings include new jobs and jobs left by workers who retire or change careers. Projections: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Bright Outlook": U.S. Department of Labor.

Where they work

  • General medical and surgical hospitals58.1%
  • Offices of physicians16.8%
  • Medical and diagnostic laboratories7.4%
  • Federal government, excluding postal service2.9%
  • Temporary help services2.2%

Share of all workers in this career. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Employment Matrix.

On-siteExperience before this job: 6 months to 1 year

Some people start through an apprenticeship: paid training on the job, often with classes. Search apprenticeships on Apprenticeship.gov (opens in a new tab) ↗

Career path

How people usually get into this career, from school to their first job and beyond.

Typical education: Certificate or apprenticeshipExperience before this job: 6 months to 1 year

Radiologic Technologist is an entry-level healthcare job. Most people finish a formal training program of about 1 to 2 years, which includes hands-on clinical work, and then need roughly 6 months to 1 year of related experience before they're fully working in the role.

  1. High school diploma or GED with strong science and math

    4 years

    Building a solid base in biology, chemistry, physics, and math makes it easier to get into and succeed in a radiography training program.

  2. Radiologic technology certificate or associate program

    1-2 years

    You learn anatomy, patient positioning, radiation safety, and imaging techniques, plus supervised clinical rotations; completing this prepares you for the certification exam most employers expect.

  3. Radiologic Technologist

    6 months to 1 year of experience

    You take x-rays, CT scans, and other images for diagnosis, working with patients and doctors while building the hands-on experience that makes you fully independent.

Where it can lead

  1. MRI Technologist

    1-2 years of experience first

    You move into a specialty that uses magnetic resonance imaging, which usually requires additional training and a specialty certification on top of your radiography experience.

  2. Lead Radiologic Technologist

    2-5 years of experience first

    You take on added responsibility such as training newer staff, managing schedules, and checking image quality, which typically builds on several years of solid clinical experience.

What you can do now

Ideas for high school and college students.

In high school

  • Take biology, chemistry, and physicsThese science classes build the foundation you'll need for anatomy and imaging physics in a training program.
  • Take a health occupations or medical careers class if your school offers oneIt gives you an early look at healthcare work and basic patient care skills.
  • Join a health careers or science clubClubs like this help you meet people in healthcare and learn about career options.
  • Volunteer at a hospital, clinic, or nursing homeVolunteering shows you the healthcare environment and looks good on future program applications.
  • Get a part-time job that involves helping peopleCustomer service or caregiving jobs build the communication and reliability that patient-facing work requires.

In college

  • Take anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, and physicsThese courses prepare you for the coursework in a radiography program and make your application stronger.
  • Earn CPR or basic life support certificationMany healthcare programs and employers require it, and it's an inexpensive way to show you're ready for patient care.
  • Work as a patient care assistant, medical assistant, or certified nursing assistantHands-on patient care experience helps you learn to work with patients who may be anxious or in pain, and it can count toward your healthcare background.
  • Volunteer or shadow in a hospital radiology departmentSeeing imaging equipment and staff in action helps you confirm this is the right path and gives you contacts for references.
  • Join a health professions club on campusClubs offer networking, guest speakers, and sometimes leadership roles that look good when you apply to a program.

Tips for getting started

  • Shadow or talk with a radiologic technologist at a local hospital or imaging center to see what a typical shift looks like.
  • When you look at programs, check whether they are accredited for radiography and how many hours of clinical training they include.
  • Get comfortable with patients early, such as through a job where you help people, because the role involves a lot of patient care and positioning.

Related jobs that often lead here

Related jobs a step up

Education, experience and related careers: U.S. Department of Labor. The step-by-step path, where it can lead and what you can do now were written by AI as typical examples; many people take other ways.

College majors that lead here

Majors: U.S. Department of Education and BLS (CIP–SOC crosswalk). Earnings and debt: College Scorecard, typical across U.S. colleges.

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