SOC 29-2034.00Bright outlook

    Radiologic Technologists and Technicians

    Take x-rays and CAT scans or administer nonradioactive materials into patient's bloodstream for diagnostic or research purposes.

    Median pay
    $80,110
    Growth
    +5.0%
    Faster than average
    Openings a year
    13,000
    Typical education
    Associate's degree

    Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition

    Source: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

    See the pathway

    Annual pay range

    Lowest 10% earn less than
    $55,980
    Median
    $80,110
    Highest 10% earn more than
    $118,660
    National wages for all workers in this occupation. BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.

    230,490 people work in this occupation.

    In short

    Radiologic technologists and technicians perform medical imaging, such as x-rays and CAT scans, to help doctors diagnose and treat patients. This career offers a median annual pay of $80,110 and has faster-than-average projected job growth.

    Written with AI from the BLS, O*NET and CareerOneStop data on this page. Every figure is checked against that data before it is published.

    What radiologic technologists and technicians do

    Job Zone 3: Medium preparation

    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.

    Usually vocational training, an associate degree or related experience.

    What the work is like

    People in this career capture internal images of the human body for medical diagnosis or research. On a daily basis, they operate complex imaging machinery, administer nonradioactive materials into patients' bloodstreams, and work closely with computers to process scans. The role requires a strong realistic interest area, as it involves hands-on tasks and direct patient care. Technologists must assist and care for others, communicate clearly with medical staff, and document patient information accurately.

    Success in this field requires a blend of technical skills and interpersonal qualities. Key skills include active listening, critical thinking, and precise operation and control of imaging equipment. Technologists need a solid foundation in medicine, biology, physics, and customer service. Because they work directly with the public, they must show empathy, cooperation, and strong self-control. Being dependable, cautious, and highly attentive to detail ensures patient safety and high-quality diagnostic results.

    How to get there

    To enter this profession, individuals typically need an associate's degree, which is the standard entry-level education. This career falls under a medium preparation level, meaning candidates usually complete vocational training, an associate program, or gain related experience. College majors that lead directly to this field include allied health diagnostic, intervention, and treatment professions.

    While preparing for this career, candidates can pursue various professional credentials. Available certifications include the Certified Radiological Technologist, Limited Licensed Radiologic Technologist, Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist, Certified PACS Associate, and EKG technician certifications. Additionally, some states list a license for this work, so candidates should check the specific legal guidelines in their geographic area.

    Pay and outlook explained

    The median annual pay for radiologic technologists and technicians is $80,110. Salaries vary based on experience and location, with the lowest 10% earning less than $55,980 and the highest 10% earning more than $118,660. Currently, there are 230,490 people employed in this field. Between 2025 and 2035, employment is projected to grow by 5%, which is faster than average. This growth is expected to result in approximately 13,000 job openings each year.

    Interest profile

    Realistic (R) · strongest
    82 / 100
    Investigative (I)
    65 / 100
    Artistic (A)
    0 / 100
    Social (S)
    40 / 100
    Enterprising (E)
    0 / 100
    Conventional (C)
    68 / 100
    How strongly each interest area describes the work, from O*NET (scores rescaled to 0–100). The interest code lists the strongest areas in order.

    Interest code RCI. Compare it with yours

    What you'd do

    Assisting and Caring for Others
    96
    Working with Computers
    94
    Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
    89
    Documenting/Recording Information
    88
    Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
    82
    Controlling Machines and Processes
    80
    Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
    80
    Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
    79
    Getting Information
    77
    Making Decisions and Solving Problems
    75
    Work activities rated by importance for this occupation, O*NET (0–100).

    Skills and strengths

    Skills

    • Active Listening
    • Reading Comprehension
    • Service Orientation
    • Social Perceptiveness
    • Speaking
    • Critical Thinking
    • Monitoring
    • Operation and Control
    • Operations Monitoring
    • Coordination

    Knowledge

    • English Language
    • Medicine and Dentistry
    • Customer and Personal Service
    • Biology
    • Physics
    • Computers and Electronics
    • Mathematics
    • Chemistry
    • Education and Training
    • Public Safety and Security

    Abilities

    • Oral Comprehension
    • Oral Expression
    • Problem Sensitivity
    • Information Ordering
    • Near Vision
    • Written Comprehension
    • Deductive Reasoning
    • Inductive Reasoning
    • Speech Clarity
    • Speech Recognition

    Work styles

    • Attention to Detail
    • Dependability
    • Cautiousness
    • Cooperation
    • Empathy
    • Integrity
    • Stress Tolerance
    • Self-Control
    • Sincerity
    • Social Orientation

    Also called

    3D Technologist (Three Dimensional Technologist) · Angiogram Special Procedures Technologist · CAT Technologist (Computed Axial Tomography Technologist) · CT Radiology Technologist (Computerized Tomography Radiology Technologist) · CT RT (Computed Tomography Radiologic Technologist) · CT Scan Special Procedures Technologist (Computed Tomography Scan Special Procedures Technologist) · CT Scan Technologist (Computed Tomography Scan Technologist) · CT Scanner Operator (Computed Tomography Scanner Operator) · CT Tech (Computed Tomography Technician) · CT Tech (Computed Tomography Technologist)

    Career pathway

    From your interests to radiologic technologists and technicians

    Interests that fit the work, the career, majors that lead there and colleges whose graduates in those majors earn the most. Hover or focus a step to follow one path.

    1. Interests

    2. This career

      • Radiologic Technologists and Technicians$80,110 median pay

    3. Majors

    4. Colleges

    College Scorecard program outcomes

    Colleges with strong outcomes

    Programs that lead to this career, ranked by what their graduates earn four years after finishing. Earnings are for graduates who received federal aid.

    1. 1Wagner College logo
      Wagner College

      Staten Island, NY · Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      Not reported
      4 yrs after
      $156,982
      Median debt
      $27,000
    2. 2St. John's University-New York logo
      St. John's University-New York

      Queens, NY · Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $102,500
      4 yrs after
      $142,774
      Median debt
      $23,325
    3. 3John Patrick University of Health and Applied Sciences logo
      John Patrick University of Health and Applied Sciences

      South Bend, IN · Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $112,673
      4 yrs after
      $122,061
      Median debt
      $23,437
    4. 4Saint Francis University logo
      Saint Francis University

      Loretto, PA · Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      Not reported
      4 yrs after
      $115,813
      Median debt
      $28,000
    5. 5D'Youville University logo
      D'Youville University

      Buffalo, NY · Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $113,290
      4 yrs after
      $114,737
      Median debt
      $30,703
    6. 6Molloy College logo
      Molloy College

      Rockville Centre, NY · Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $90,567
      4 yrs after
      $111,267
      Median debt
      Not reported
    7. 7Salisbury University logo
      Salisbury University

      Salisbury, MD · Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $75,312
      4 yrs after
      $109,739
      Median debt
      $23,250
    8. 8Long Island University logo
      Long Island University

      Brookville, NY · Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $90,526
      4 yrs after
      $107,539
      Median debt
      $22,000

    Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard field-of-study data, 2025. Programs with few graduates are not listed.

    NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk

    Majors that lead here

    Related programs by four-digit CIP code. They are common routes in, not the only ones.

    CareerOneStop

    Certifications, licenses and pay by state

    What radiologic technologists and technicians may need beyond a degree, where a license is required, and what the work pays in each state.

    Certifications

    Core certifications employers recognise for this work.

    Search all certifications on CareerOneStop

    Training

    Programs of study that prepare people for this work.

    • Mammography Technology/Technician
    • Medical Radiologic Technology/Science - Radiation Therapist
    • Radiologic Technology/Science - Radiographer

    Find training near you on CareerOneStop

    Licenses by state

    44 states list a license for this work. Open your state for the license and the agency that issues it.

    Check license requirements on CareerOneStop

    Data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor (Employment and Training Administration, with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development). Retrieved November 9, 2026.

    Your plan

    Build my pathway plan

    Courses, majors, colleges, scholarships and a timeline for this career, built from your profile.

    Related careers

    Careers with similar work, interests or skills.

    All careers

    Questions about radiologic technologists and technicians

    Written with AI from the BLS, O*NET and CareerOneStop data on this page. Every figure is checked against that data before it is published.

    What are some alternative job titles for this career?

    Professionals in this field are known by several names depending on their specialization. Common titles include CAT Technologist, CT Scan Technologist, 3D Technologist, and Angiogram Special Procedures Technologist.

    What subjects should I study to prepare for this field?

    Students should focus on medicine, biology, physics, and chemistry. Knowledge of computers, electronics, and customer service is also highly beneficial for daily operations.

    Are there similar careers in medical imaging and therapy?

    Yes, related fields include magnetic resonance imaging technologists, diagnostic medical sonographers, radiation therapists, nuclear medicine technologists, and cardiovascular technologists.

    Sources and attribution

    Every figure on this page comes from these public datasets. Missing values are shown as not reported, never estimated.

    O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.

    Data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor (Employment and Training Administration, with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development). Retrieved November 9, 2026.

    Page data updated November 5, 2026.