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X-Ray / Radiologic Tech

$80,110
median pay per year
$55,980 – $118,660
what most earn (10th–90th percentile)

What the job actually is

Position patients and operate imaging equipment to produce X-rays and other scans for diagnosis.

Where you work

Hospitals and imaging centers; on your feet, moving equipment and patients.

The hours

Full-time; evenings, weekends, and on-call in hospitals.

By the numbers

May 2024–25 BLS wage data · 2024–34 BLS employment projections.

Median pay
$80,110
per year
What most earn
$55,980–$118,660
10th to 90th percentile
Openings a year
~12,900
projected, 2024–34
Outlook to 2034
+4%
About average
Working in the U.S.
230,490
people, nationwide

Openings a year counts new jobs plus the ones that open when people retire or move on — a truer picture of your odds than growth alone.

“Median” means half earn more and half earn less. Your city, employer, and years on the job move it a lot — that is what the 10th-to-90th range shows.

How you get in

Typical starting education

Associate degree

Training path: Associate degree + certification.

License or certification

Most states require a license or certification to practice.

What it takes

Attention to detailTechnical skillsCompassionPhysical stamina

The honest take

Add CT or MRI credentials and the pay steps up each time.

Standard Occupational Classification 29-2034. Pay, employment, and outlook from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS wage survey and 2024–34 employment projections). See something off? Tell us.