A radiologic technologist salary depends on where you work and which state you practice in, and it is easy to confuse with pay for separate imaging jobs such as MRI technologist or sonographer. The most reliable U.S. benchmarks come from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which publishes national, work-setting and state wage estimates for the occupation.
The latest available federal wage estimates provide several ways to assess rad tech salary data. National median and mean wages offer broad reference points, while percentile, setting and state tables show how wide the reported range is. These figures describe wages for employees across groups, not the amount a particular employer will offer you.
Rad Tech Pay at a Glance
- Radiologic technologists and technicians earned a national median of $80,110 a year, or $38.52 an hour, in May 2025, according to the BLS.
- The middle half earned between $64,810 and $98,750, while 10 percent earned less than $55,980 and 10 percent earned more than $118,660.
- The federal government had the highest median of the five largest work settings, and California had the highest state median at $121,260.
- BLS wage estimates leave out benefits, overtime and shift differentials, so they do not represent total compensation.
How Much Do Radiologic Technologists Make?
The BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics tables report a May 2025 national median annual wage of $80,110 for radiologic technologists and technicians. The corresponding median hourly wage was $38.52. The national mean was $83,840 annually or $40.31 per hour. The BLS released these estimates on May 15, 2026. They are the newest set listed on the Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) tables page.
The median and mean answer different questions. According to the BLS explanation of OEWS wage estimates, the median is the boundary between the lower-paid half and higher-paid half of employees. The mean is calculated by dividing total wages by the number of employees. Neither figure predicts what one person will earn.
The BLS occupation used for these figures is “radiologic technologists and technicians.” MRI technologists and diagnostic medical sonographers are counted separately, and IMA covers sonographer pay in its own diagnostic medical sonographer salary guide. For context, the May 2025 median for radiologic technologists and technicians was higher than the $58,180 median for health technologists and technicians and the $50,980 median for all occupations reported in the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Radiologic Technologist Pay by Percentile
The BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics tables for May 2025 provide national hourly and annual wage boundaries for radiologic technologists and technicians, along with the occupation’s mean wages.
| Wage measure | Annual wage | Hourly wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $55,980 | $26.91 |
| 25th percentile | $64,810 | $31.16 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $80,110 | $38.52 |
| 75th percentile | $98,750 | $47.47 |
| 90th percentile | $118,660 | $57.05 |
| Mean (average) | $83,840 | $40.31 |
A percentile is a boundary within the wage distribution. For example, the 25th percentile marks the point below which 25 percent of reported wages fall. It does not identify new technologists, experienced technologists or people with particular credentials. Use the pay table above to understand the occupation’s wage range without assigning a career stage or specialty to any row.
What the Salary Figures Include and Leave Out
OEWS figures measure wages and salaries rather than total compensation. The BLS OEWS wage definitions describe the estimates as straight-time gross pay that excludes premium pay. Overtime, shift differentials, on-call pay, weekend premium pay, holiday premium pay, nonproduction bonuses and year-end bonuses are excluded.
The estimates also leave out employer costs for nonwage benefits, including health insurance and employer retirement-plan contributions. As a result, two jobs with the same wage could still have different total compensation. The data cannot be used to compare the complete value of benefits packages or forms of premium pay that an employer may offer.
Annual OEWS wages assume a full-time, year-round schedule of 2,080 hours. The survey includes part-time and full-time employees who receive wages or salaries, but it does not cover self-employed workers or owners and partners in unincorporated firms.
The Occupational Outlook Handbook says most radiologic and MRI technologists work full time. Some work evenings, weekends or overnight because imaging may be needed in emergencies. Because OEWS wages exclude shift differentials, any extra pay for those shifts does not appear in these estimates, and neither BLS source gives a dollar amount for it.
Radiologic Technologist Salary by Work Setting
The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook reports May 2025 median wages and 2025 employment shares for radiologic technologists and technicians in five major work settings.
| Work setting | Share of jobs (2025) | Median annual wage (May 2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Federal government, excluding postal service | 3% | $97,490 |
| Outpatient care centers | 7% | $84,720 |
| Hospitals (state, local and private) | 60% | $80,650 |
| Medical and diagnostic laboratories | 7% | $78,400 |
| Offices of physicians | 17% | $74,540 |
The setting table above shows that the federal government, excluding the postal service, had the highest median among the five settings at $97,490 but accounted for 3 percent of jobs. Hospitals employed 60 percent of radiologic technologists and technicians and had an $80,650 median, close to the $80,110 national figure. Offices of physicians had the lowest median among the five settings at $74,540 and employed 17 percent of the occupation.
These are medians for groups of employees in each setting. They are useful comparison points, but they do not establish the wage that every hospital, laboratory, outpatient center, physician’s office or federal employer pays.
Radiologic Technologist Salary by State
The BLS OEWS May 2025 state estimates report employment, median annual wages and mean annual wages for radiologic technologists and technicians.
| State | Employment | Median annual wage | Mean annual wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 3,500 | $60,700 | $60,800 |
| Alaska | 370 | $98,920 | $96,670 |
| Arizona | 4,670 | $89,200 | $90,020 |
| Arkansas | 2,210 | $63,640 | $67,880 |
| California | 20,900 | $121,260 | $117,950 |
| Colorado | 3,960 | $87,760 | $89,470 |
| Connecticut | 3,230 | $91,970 | $93,530 |
| Delaware | 650 | $84,210 | $83,340 |
| District of Columbia | 660 | $102,770 | $98,860 |
| Florida | 16,470 | $76,750 | $74,760 |
| Georgia | 7,540 | $74,550 | $76,120 |
| Hawaii | 690 | $101,700 | $93,140 |
| Idaho | 1,490 | $80,080 | $79,940 |
| Illinois | 7,650 | $79,930 | $80,770 |
| Indiana | 5,470 | $77,640 | $74,980 |
| Iowa | 2,550 | $65,930 | $69,640 |
| Kansas | 2,270 | $76,070 | $74,580 |
| Kentucky | 3,630 | $69,670 | $72,840 |
| Louisiana | 3,370 | $63,680 | $66,240 |
| Maine | 1,050 | $80,080 | $80,760 |
| Maryland | 3,370 | $85,890 | $88,260 |
| Massachusetts | 5,500 | $103,620 | $101,910 |
| Michigan | 7,220 | $76,420 | $74,020 |
| Minnesota | 4,910 | $83,400 | $87,270 |
| Mississippi | 2,510 | $59,300 | $59,090 |
| Missouri | 5,170 | $73,080 | $73,150 |
| Montana | 850 | $77,070 | $74,610 |
| Nebraska | 1,670 | $72,860 | $74,600 |
| Nevada | 1,840 | $82,910 | $88,620 |
| New Hampshire | 1,240 | $84,910 | $87,410 |
| New Jersey | 6,320 | $95,000 | $93,240 |
| New Mexico | 1,150 | $79,940 | $79,810 |
| New York | 13,450 | $98,470 | $99,000 |
| North Carolina | 9,250 | $74,450 | $74,770 |
| North Dakota | 740 | $67,790 | $72,690 |
| Ohio | 9,570 | $78,320 | $76,890 |
| Oklahoma | 3,640 | $74,160 | $72,490 |
| Oregon | 2,700 | $102,290 | $99,630 |
| Pennsylvania | 8,090 | $76,050 | $74,740 |
| Rhode Island | 660 | $85,330 | $88,750 |
| South Carolina | 3,630 | $69,600 | $71,970 |
| South Dakota | 980 | $65,240 | $69,740 |
| Tennessee | 4,660 | $64,630 | $68,990 |
| Texas | 20,250 | $78,630 | $78,060 |
| Utah | 1,780 | $81,000 | $81,930 |
| Vermont | 470 | $94,540 | $91,630 |
| Virginia | 5,140 | $80,670 | $83,160 |
| Washington | 4,130 | $102,090 | $100,900 |
| West Virginia | 1,810 | $74,150 | $73,780 |
| Wisconsin | 5,010 | $79,140 | $79,400 |
| Wyoming | 430 | $77,860 | $79,080 |
Among the 51 jurisdictions with published wages, including the District of Columbia, the five highest annual medians were in California, Massachusetts, the District of Columbia, Oregon and Washington. The five lowest were in Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana and Tennessee.
The four states with the highest estimated employment were California, Texas, Florida and New York. California combined the highest state median with the highest employment estimate, but the other high-employment states occupied different positions in the wage table. Use the state table above to compare the figures directly. The values have not been adjusted for cost of living, and they do not show what a particular employer will offer.
Duties and Working Conditions of Radiologic Technologists
Radiologic technologists, who are also called radiographers, perform x rays and other diagnostic imaging examinations. The BLS says they may specialize in areas such as x-ray, mammography or computed tomography imaging. That statement describes areas of work and does not establish a pay increase for any specialty.
Typical duties include adjusting and maintaining imaging equipment, following physicians’ orders about what to image and preparing patients. Preparation may involve taking a medical history and shielding areas that do not need imaging. Technologists position patients and equipment, operate the equipment, keep detailed records and work with physicians to evaluate images. You can also learn more about what radiologists do as part of the diagnostic process.
Radiologic technologists wear badges that measure radiation levels, and detailed records track their cumulative lifetime dose. Lead aprons, gloves and other shielding help minimize radiation hazards. The occupation also has physical demands. Radiologic and MRI technologists are often on their feet for long periods and may need to lift or turn patients.
How Rad Tech Pay Compares With Related Imaging Careers
The BLS classifies several related imaging roles as separate occupations, each with its own national median. In May 2025, MRI technologists had a median of $95,480. MRI technologists typically need less than five years of related work experience, most often as radiologic technologists. That career pathway does not make the MRI wage an estimate of what a radiologic technologist earns after obtaining another credential.
The BLS similar occupations table reports 2025 median pay of $96,590 for diagnostic medical sonographers, $101,370 for nuclear medicine technologists, $105,310 for radiation therapists and $74,310 for cardiovascular technologists and technicians.
These figures compare occupations, not credentials within radiologic technology. They do not show how much a radiologic technologist would earn by adding a certification or working in x-ray, mammography, CT or another area. Compare the duties, education and licensing path for each occupation rather than treating its median as a specialty-pay figure.
Radiologic Technologist Job Outlook
BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook projections show employment of radiologic technologists and technicians growing 5 percent from 2025 to 2035. That would increase employment from about 234,200 jobs in 2025 to 246,000 in 2035, an addition of 11,800 jobs. The projected rate is above the 3 percent average for all occupations.
The BLS also projects about 15,300 openings per year for radiologic and MRI technologists combined over the decade. This opening figure covers both occupations and includes openings expected when workers change occupations or leave the labor force, such as to retire. It should not be described as the annual number of newly created radiologic technologist jobs.
The BLS connects expected demand for diagnostic procedures with a growing older population and an increasing prevalence of chronic disease. It also notes that falls and related injuries common among older people may require x rays or CT scans. These are national projections rather than guarantees about hiring in a particular community.
Education, Licensing and Certification
An associate’s degree is the education typically required for radiologic technologists. According to the BLS, radiologic technology coursework includes anatomy, pathology, patient care, radiation physics and protection and image evaluation.
If you are still in high school, the BLS recommends taking math and science courses such as anatomy, biology, chemistry and physics.
Most states require radiologic technologists to be licensed or certified. Licensure usually requires graduation from an accredited program and either passing a state certification examination or obtaining certification from a credentialing organization. Technologists may be certified in multiple specialties, but the wage data in this guide does not assign a pay amount to additional certifications.
Employers typically require or prefer certified technologists even when state rules do not require certification. They may also require or prefer CPR or basic life support certification. Because requirements can differ, you should verify the applicable state rules and individual program requirements before committing to an education path.
Choosing Your Next Career Step
Use the national, percentile, setting and state figures as comparison tools rather than promises about your future earnings. Then weigh the occupation’s duties, physical demands, education path and licensing requirements against the kind of work you want to pursue.
If you are comparing allied health roles, IMA’s surgical technologist salary guide provides another career reference point.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Does a Radiologic Technologist Make Per Hour?
The May 2025 national median radiologic technologist hourly wage was $38.52. The mean hourly wage was $40.31. The median divides the wage distribution in half, while the mean is the arithmetic average across employees.
What Is the Average Radiologic Technologist Salary?
The May 2025 mean annual wage for radiologic technologists and technicians was $83,840. If you use “average” to mean the median, that figure was $80,110. The mean and median measure different aspects of the national wage distribution.
Which State Pays Radiologic Technologists the Most?
California had the highest published May 2025 state median at $121,260. That ranks it first among the 50 states and the District of Columbia. This is a statewide occupational median, not a guaranteed wage from an individual employer.
Which Work Settings Pay Radiologic Technologists the Most?
The federal government, excluding the postal service, had the highest May 2025 median among the five settings listed by the BLS, at $97,490. It accounted for 3 percent of radiologic technologist and technician jobs in 2025, so the highest listed setting median applied to a relatively small employment share.
Do MRI Technologists Make More Than Radiologic Technologists?
Yes, at the national median. MRI technologists had a median of $95,480 in the May 2025 BLS data compared with $80,110 for radiologic technologists and technicians. MRI technologists are a separate BLS occupation, so the comparison does not show what a radiologic technologist would earn after adding a credential.
Does the Radiologic Technologist Salary Data Include Shift Differentials or Benefits?
No. OEWS wages exclude shift differentials, overtime, on-call pay, weekend and holiday premium pay and certain bonuses. The estimates also exclude employer costs for nonwage benefits such as health insurance and employer retirement-plan contributions.
Is Demand for Radiologic Technologists Growing?
Yes. The BLS projects radiologic technologist and technician employment to grow 5 percent from 2025 to 2035, compared with 3 percent for all occupations. The projection rises from about 234,200 jobs to 246,000, but national projections do not guarantee growth in every local market.
What Degree Do You Need to Become a Radiologic Technologist?
An associate’s degree is the typical entry-level education for radiologic technologists. Most states also require licensure or certification, which usually involves completing an accredited program and passing a state examination or obtaining certification from a credentialing organization.
