Radiologic Technologist Salaries and Hiring Outlook
The field of radiologic technology provides opportunities to help others while potentially earning a salary above the US average, with expectations for positive job growth in the coming years.1 As you consider earning a degree in radiologic technology, you should become familiar with the various influences on radiologic technologist pay. These include the type of work environment, geographic area, the tech’s experience and education, and the modality or modalities in which a tech is trained. Continue reading to find comparisons showing how these factors influence earning potential as well as in-depth information on radiologic technologist (RT) salaries by state.
How much do radiologic technologists make?
As of 2019, the national average annual salary for radiologic technologists was $63,120.1 The highest-earning 10% made over $89,760, while the lowest-earning made $41,480 or less.1 Outpatient care centers and federal government agencies were the highest-paying industries for this profession, at $69,140 and $67,400 per year respectively.1
The majority (63%) of radiologic technologists recommend that prospective RTs hold an associate’s degree, while 24% recommend a post-secondary certificate and 6% recommend another type of professional degree.2 However, those with higher levels of education do tend to earn more than their peers with only an associate’s degree. According to the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT), the average salary for a radiographer with an associate’s degree is $53,222, compared to $56,540 with a bachelor’s degree and $71,501 with a master’s degree; the increases in salary with increases in education tend to hold true across modalities.3 At the same time, the modalities in which a radiologic tech specializes during his or her education can also make a noticeable difference in pay. According to the ASRT, staff technologists working in bone densitometry earn an average annual salary of $62,042, compared to technologists working in vascular sonography ($69,794), breast sonography ($73,967), or PET/CT, SPEC/CT ($78,018).3 The table below provides an overview of what radiologic technologists make, on average, by core practice area.
| Role | Typical Highest Education Level Achieved | Number Employed in the US | Average Annual Openings | 10-Year Job Growth | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Radiologic Technologists2,4,9 | Associate’s degree | 212,000 | 14,000 | 7% | $62,280 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographers, Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians5,6,9 | Associate’s degree | 131,700 | 9,500 | 12% | $68,750 |
| Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists4,7,9 | Associate’s degree | 38,700 | 2,700 | 7% | $73,410 |
Radiologic Technologist Salaries by State
This sortable radiology tech salary and job outlook table provides key data for individuals interested in starting a career as a radiologic technologist. You will find the average annual salary for radiologic technologists in your state as well as the projected growth rate for radiologic and diagnostic tech jobs in all categories from 2018 to 2028. Additionally, you can find the percentage of the median home list price that the average salary buys and the number of radiologic and diagnostic techs employed in each state. The states are ranked based on a combination of the job growth rate and the average salary/median home price ratio. Click on your state to learn about radiologic technology programs in your state.
| Rank | StateUS Average | 2019 Average Radiologic/ Diagnostic Tech Salary1$63,120 | 2020 Zillow Median Property List Price8$248,900 | % of Median Home Average Salary Buys (Higher = Better)25% | 2018 Total Radiologic/ Diagnostic Techs Employed9399,900 | Projected Radiologic/ Diagnostic Tech Employment in 20289442,600 | 10-Year Growth Rate (2018-2028)911% | Best States for Radiologic/ Diagnostic Techs (Avg=1)1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | West Virginia | $51,880 | $107,100 | 48% | 3,300 | 3,690 | 12% | 1.66 |
| 2 | Arizona | $65,810 | $277,600 | 23% | 2,630 | 3,570 | 36% | 1.64 |
| 3 | Arkansas | $49,770 | $130,900 | 38% | 4,210 | 4,750 | 13% | 1.40 |
| 4 | Georgia | $58,680 | $206,800 | 28% | 11,860 | 14,490 | 22% | 1.39 |
| 5 | New York | $70,620 | $328,700 | 22% | 27,150 | 33,330 | 29% | 1.39 |
| 6 | Iowa | $52,770 | $154,700 | 34% | 3,990 | 4,540 | 14% | 1.32 |
| 7 | Oklahoma | $55,610 | $132,500 | 42% | 5,450 | 5,750 | 6% | 1.32 |
| 8 | Maryland | $68,970 | $313,000 | 22% | 8,990 | 11,180 | 25% | 1.29 |
| 9 | Texas | $61,050 | $211,200 | 29% | 31,760 | 37,310 | 18% | 1.29 |
| 10 | Missouri | $54,170 | $165,700 | 33% | 7,890 | 9,000 | 14% | 1.28 |
| 11 | Ohio | $60,890 | $153,600 | 40% | 14,980 | 16,010 | 7% | 1.28 |
| 12 | Utah | $57,870 | $355,500 | 16% | 2,510 | 3,260 | 30% | 1.27 |
| 13 | Indiana | $58,710 | $158,700 | 37% | 8,460 | 9,190 | 9% | 1.26 |
| 14 | Kentucky | $52,690 | $150,000 | 35% | 6,460 | 7,030 | 9% | 1.21 |
| 15 | Delaware | $63,160 | $257,500 | 25% | 1,460 | 1,730 | 19% | 1.20 |
| 16 | Colorado | $66,420 | $408,800 | 16% | 6,510 | 8,280 | 27% | 1.19 |
| 17 | Mississippi | $47,660 | $127,500 | 37% | 4,250 | 4,510 | 6% | 1.19 |
| 18 | Nevada | $71,460 | $309,700 | 23% | 930 | 1,120 | 20% | 1.18 |
| 19 | Michigan | $57,510 | $177,000 | 33% | 14,430 | 14,450 | 10% | 1.17 |
| 20 | Alabama | $47,290 | $143,100 | 33% | 6,860 | 7,450 | 9% | 1.16 |
| 21 | Tennessee | $52,080 | $192,600 | 27% | 9,060 | 10,390 | 15% | 1.16 |
| 22 | Florida | $57,150 | $252,300 | 23% | 30,870 | 36,610 | 19% | 1.15 |
| 23 | Nebraska | $55,330 | $178,900 | 31% | 3,380 | 3,760 | 11% | 1.15 |
| 24 | Idaho | $60,680 | $298,300 | 20% | 1,750 | 2,120 | 21% | 1.14 |
| 25 | Minnesota | $69,140 | $263,700 | 26% | 8,700 | 9,960 | 15% | 1.13 |
| 26 | Kansas | $54,750 | $153,900 | 36% | 3,820 | 4,020 | 5% | 1.12 |
| 27 | Louisiana | $52,090 | $170,400 | 31% | 9,030 | 9,890 | 10% | 1.12 |
| 28 | Wyoming | $57,950 | $256,100 | 23% | 570 | 670 | 18% | 1.12 |
| 29 | North Carolina | $58,220 | $208,000 | 28% | 12,370 | 13,740 | 11% | 1.07 |
| 30 | New Mexico | $59,140 | $210,100 | 28% | 2,590 | 2,860 | 10% | 1.05 |
| 31 | North Dakota | $55,400 | $237,500 | 23% | 1,410 | 1,620 | 15% | 1.05 |
| 32 | Wisconsin | $60,440 | $202,700 | 30% | 8,680 | 9,400 | 8% | 1.04 |
| 33 | South Dakota | $53,210 | $209,700 | 25% | 1,720 | 1,920 | 12% | 1.03 |
| 34 | South Carolina | $54,840 | $190,600 | 29% | 6,250 | 6,760 | 8% | 1.01 |
| 35 | Washington DC | $74,030 | $428,900 | 17% | 7,630 | 9,090 | 19% | 1.00 |
| 36 | Alaska | $76,850 | $300,100 | 26% | 740 | 810 | 10% | 0.98 |
| 37 | Pennsylvania | $53,860 | $198,400 | 27% | 18,240 | 19,680 | 8% | 0.97 |
| 38 | Oregon | $75,170 | $372,900 | 20% | 4,930 | 5,620 | 14% | 0.94 |
| 39 | California | $86,120 | $578,300 | 15% | 34,500 | 41,000 | 19% | 0.93 |
| 40 | New Jersey | $69,330 | $342,500 | 20% | 11,640 | 13,120 | 13% | 0.91 |
| 41 | Connecticut | $69,400 | $259,900 | 27% | 4,620 | 4,890 | 6% | 0.90 |
| 42 | Virginia | $62,580 | $291,000 | 22% | 9,600 | 10,640 | 11% | 0.89 |
| 43 | Illinois | $63,370 | $204,800 | 31% | 16,560 | 16,770 | 1% | 0.88 |
| 44 | New Hampshire | $64,530 | $299,300 | 22% | 1,830 | 2,010 | 10% | 0.87 |
| 45 | Montana | $55,980 | $288,900 | 19% | 1,350 | 1,480 | 10% | 0.81 |
| 46 | Vermont | $62,370 | $261,300 | 24% | 580 | 610 | 5% | 0.79 |
| 47 | Maine | $58,450 | $249,600 | 23% | 1,860 | 1,960 | 5% | 0.78 |
| 48 | Rhode Island | $71,870 | $308,700 | 23% | 1,870 | 1,900 | 2% | 0.70 |
| 49 | Massachusetts | $78,300 | $433,900 | 18% | 10,840 | 11,480 | 6% | 0.66 |
| 50 | Hawaii | $82,680 | $642,500 | 13% | 1,180 | 1,280 | 9% | 0.60 |
| 51 | Washington | $79,430 | $640,800 | 12% | 980 | 1,050 | 7% | 0.53 |
Additional Resources
- American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT): The ASRT provides data from annual wage and salary surveys of its active membership, including breakdowns by industry, modality, and more.
- The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT): The ARRT provides in-depth information about career prospects in various modalities and practice areas.
- American Registry of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists (ARMRIT): ARMRIT is a membership-based organization that promotes recognition of MRI technologists as a distinct specialty.
References:
1. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wages, Radiologic Technologists: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes292034.htm
2. O*NET OnLine, Radiologic Technologists: https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/29-2034.00
3. ASRT Radiologic Technologist Wage and Salary Survey 2016: https://www.asrt.org/docs/default-source/research/radiologic-technologist-wage-and-salary-survey-2016.pdf
4. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Radiologic Technologists: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/radiologic-technologists.htm
5. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Diagnostic Sonographers and Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/diagnostic-medical-sonographers.htm
6. O*NET OnLine, Diagnostic Medical Sonographers: https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/29-2032.00
7. O*NET OnLine, Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists: https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/29-2035.00
8. Zillow.com: https://www.zillow.com/home-values/
9. Projections Central, Long Term Occupational Projections: https://projectionscentral.org/Projections/LongTerm