Radiation Therapists
Median wage · national
$105,310
Range: $92K – $126K
Employed
17K
Openings/yr
700
Typically: associate's degree
HEALTH
Radiologic Technologist
Radiologic Technologist earn $80,110 nationally at the median. The middle 50% of workers fall between $64,810 and $98,750. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and experience.
About Radiologic Technologist
This page sets out what the federal data says about working as a radiologic technologist: what the job pays, how fast it is growing, and what it takes to get in. Most people arrive through a degree in Allied Health Diagnostic and what it leads to, though it is not the only route.
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.
- Median Wage
- $80,110
- Employed Nationally
- 230K
- Openings / Year
- 13,000
- Entry Education
- Associate's degree
- Job Zone
- Zone 3: Medium Preparation
Also known as:
3D Technologist
Angiogram Special Procedures Technologist
CAT Technologist (Computed Axial Tomography Technologist)
Computed Tomography Radiologic Technologist (CT RT)
Computed Tomography Technician (CT Technician)
How Much Do Radiologic Technologists Make?
Most radiologic technologists take home around $80,110 a year, above what most college graduates make. Half earn somewhere between $64,810 and $98,750, so where you land depends a lot on employer, specialty and city. A solid living in most parts of the country. Source: BLS.
A wage on its own says nothing about whether the degree behind it pays for itself, which is a question of lifetime earnings set against the total cost of getting there.
$80,110
National Median (Annual)
Above the national median for college graduates.
$65K–$99K
Middle 50% Range
25th to 75th percentile. Most workers earn within this band.
Earnings Range
$64,810
Entry-level
$80,110
Median
$98,750
Experienced
What Do Radiologic Technologists Do?
This is what the job actually looks like on a Tuesday: 5 core activities and 5 skills the work depends on. Read it before the salary, because pay matters less than whether you would want to spend your days doing this. Source: O*NET.
What You'll Do
- Position imaging equipment and adjust controls to set exposure time and distance, according to specification of examination.
- Position patient on examining table and set up and adjust equipment to obtain optimum view of specific body area as requested by physician.
- 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.
Core Skills Employers Look For
Active Listening
Social Perceptiveness
Reading Comprehension
Service Orientation
Speaking
Who Thrives Here
R
Realistic
Hands-on tasks, physical activity, or working with tools and real materials are central parts of the daily work here.
C
Conventional
Success depends on precision and structured processes, where detail-oriented people who work consistently within established systems perform best.
I
Investigative
This career demands analytical thinking: researching problems, interpreting data, and applying logical reasoning to find practical solutions.
Where Do Radiologic Technologists Work?
What the physical and mental conditions of this job actually look like day to day, based on O*NET Work Context data collected from people working in this occupation.
Work Setting
Mixed
Split between indoor and outdoor or field settings.
Physical Demands
Light
Mix of sitting and movement throughout the day.
Stress Level
Moderate
Moderate pressure. Regular deadlines exist but are generally manageable with experience.
What Is the Job Outlook for Radiologic Technologists?
Through 2035 the BLS expects this field to change by +5.0%, meaning it is growing at about the same pace as everything else, so expect steady demand. Around 13,000 roles open up each year, which is the number that matters most if you are starting out. Source: BLS.
Growth rates are only meaningful next to other occupations, and the full list of careers with their projected growth puts this one in context.
↗ +5.0%
10-Year Growth (2025–2035)
About as fast as average.
13,000
Annual Openings
New positions plus replacements for retirees and career-changers.
230K
Currently Employed
Total US employment as of BLS May 2025.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2025–2035 and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025.
Where the Jobs Are
The five states below employ the most Radiologic Technologist professionals nationwide. State-level wages can differ significantly from the $80,110 national median. Research your specific market before committing to a program.
| # | State | Jobs | Median Wage | vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 20,900 | $121,260 | +51.4% |
| 2 | Texas | 20,250 | $78,630 | -1.8% |
| 3 | Florida | 16,470 | $76,750 | -4.2% |
| 4 | New York | 13,450 | $98,470 | +22.9% |
| 5 | Ohio | 9,570 | $78,320 | -2.2% |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Employment figures rounded. Read our methodology →
How to Get Here
To get hired here you will usually need a associate's degree. The program below is the most common route in, ordered by how many people actually graduate from each one.
Typical Entry Education
Associate's degree
Job Zone
Zone 3: Medium Preparation
A medium amount of preparation is required, often an associate degree, certificate program, or apprenticeship, plus some related experience.
Degree Programs That Lead Here
| # | Program | Graduates/yr | 4yr Median | Colleges |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Allied Health Diagnostic | 85,413 | $70,786 | 1,768 |
Top Colleges for Aspiring Radiologic Technologists
Colleges offering the degree programs that lead to this career, ranked by UCD Score. A strong program plus solid outcomes is a good place to begin your search.
| # | College | UCD Score | Net Price | Salary 10yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Florida Gainesville, FL | 93 | $6,541 | $71,588 |
| 2 | Stanford University Stanford, CA | 92 | $13,807 | $124,080 |
| 3 | North Florida College Madison, FL | 91 | $804 | $33,929 |
| 4 | University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MI | 91 | $13,138 | $83,648 |
| 5 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NC | 90 | $11,655 | $72,200 |
| 6 | California State University-Long Beach Long Beach, CA | 90 | $10,440 | $64,403 |
Plan Your Path
Once you've sized up Radiologic Technologist, these tools turn the numbers into a plan. Estimate the real cost of a degree that leads here, weigh the long-term payoff, compare specific colleges side-by-side, and find programs that match your profile.
College ROI Calculator
See if the degree that leads to Radiologic Technologist pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings graduates see.
College Cost Calculator
Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.
Compare Colleges
Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.
College Match Quiz
Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.
Radiologic Technologist Pros & Cons
Strong earnings and growing demand make Radiologic Technologist a compelling path. The 4 strengths and 1 trade-offs below are drawn from BLS wage data and employment projections.
PROS
- Above-average pay At $80,110 median annually, this career pays meaningfully more than most college-graduate roles. Financial return on education is typically strong.
- Steady job outlook The BLS projects +5.0% growth through 2035, keeping pace with the national average. Demand is stable and annual openings remain consistent.
- Wide job market 230K professionals are employed in this field, large enough to offer geographic flexibility and multiple entry paths.
- Accessible entry path The typical entry requirement is a associate's degree, lower than many comparable-paying careers. This creates a shorter path from training to first paycheck.
CONS
- Earnings and demand vary significantly by region National figures for Radiologic Technologist mask real geographic variation. High-demand metros can pay 20% or more above the national median while lower-cost or rural markets often fall well short. Where you work matters nearly as much as your credentials.
Radiologic Technologist Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Radiologic Technologist professionals earn?
Around $80,110 a year for the typical worker, above the national median for full-time workers. The middle 50% of earners fall between $64,810 and $98,750. Treat the national figure as a starting point rather than a promise: employer size, industry and city all move it.
Is Radiologic Technologist a good career?
Yes, the data is strong. Median pay of $80,110 with +5.0% projected growth through 2035 is a combination most fields cannot match. The real variable is early career: workers around the 25th percentile earn $64,810, so your first employer and location will shape your trajectory more than the national number suggests.
How do I become a Radiologic Technologist?
Most Radiologic Technologist positions require a associate's degree as the minimum credential. a medium amount of preparation is required, often an associate degree, certificate program, or apprenticeship, plus some related experience. Programs like Allied Health Diagnostic are common starting points.
What is the job outlook for Radiologic Technologist?
Employment is projected to change by +5.0% through 2035, about as fast as average compared with other occupations. Around 13,000 roles open each year once you count people retiring and moving on, which matters more to someone starting out than the growth rate does. 230K people do this job nationwide today, so it is an established field rather than a niche one. Source: BLS May 2025.
What skills do Radiologic Technologist professionals need?
Mainly Active Listening, Social Perceptiveness, Reading Comprehension, Service Orientation, and Speaking. Notice how many of those are habits rather than facts: they come from doing the work, not from a lecture. That is why programs with an internship or co-op requirement put you ahead of people who only studied the theory. Source: O*NET.
Related Findings
-
10 Six-Figure Careers That Do Not Need a Bachelor's Degree
Air traffic controllers earn more than the typical bachelor's-degree career, with an associate degree. The occupations that pay six figures without four years of college.
- No bachelor degree
- High paying careers
- Associate degree
- Trades
- Median wage
-
Does a Master's Degree Pay Off? Barely, on Average
Group every career by the degree it requires and master's-level jobs pay a median of about $91,000, statistically tied with bachelor's-level work. The premium hides in a few fields.
- Master's degree
- Bachelor's degree
- Median wage
- Graduate school
- Career outcomes
-
Growing and Paying $80K Plus: The Careers That Do Both
Only 106 of 393 federal careers both pay a median above $80,000 and grow faster than the typical job. Here is the rare set that clears both bars.
- Career growth
- Median wage
- High-paying careers
- Job outlook
- Career change
Continue Exploring
Browse our full directory: every college, major, program, and career we track, all built from verified government data.
Colleges
Discover 3,811 verified US colleges and universities. Compare admissions, costs, outcomes, and earnings across every accredited institution nationwide.
Majors
Explore 38 fields of study spanning STEM, health, business, and the humanities. See earnings, top programs, and demand.
Programs
Browse 375 specific degree programs. See completion counts, earnings outcomes, and the colleges awarding the most graduates each year.
Careers
Look up 395 BLS occupations. Get median wages, growth projections, education requirements, and the majors leading to each career.