Radiologic Technologists and Technicians
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)
Take x-rays and CAT scans or administer nonradioactive materials into patient's bloodstream for diagnostic or research purposes.
What radiologic technologists and technicians do
Typical tasks
- Explain procedures and observe patients to ensure safety and comfort during scan.
- Process exposed radiographs using film processors or computer generated methods.
- Perform procedures, such as linear tomography, mammography, sonograms, joint and cyst aspirations, routine contrast studies, routine fluoroscopy, or examinations of the head, trunk, or extremities under supervision of physician.
- Record, process, and maintain patient data or treatment records and prepare reports.
- Prepare contrast material, radiopharmaceuticals, or anesthetic or antispasmodic drugs under the direction of a radiologist.
- Complete quality control activities, monitor equipment operation, and report malfunctioning equipment to supervisor.
- Position patient on examining table and set up and adjust equipment to obtain optimum view of specific body area as requested by physician.
- Review and evaluate developed x-rays, video tape, or computer-generated information to determine if images are satisfactory for diagnostic purposes.
- Determine patients' x-ray needs by reading requests or instructions from physicians.
- Use radiation safety measures and protection devices to comply with government regulations and to ensure safety of patients and staff.
- Position imaging equipment and adjust controls to set exposure time and distance, according to specification of examination.
- Operate digital picture archiving communications systems.
Typical path into the job (BLS)
Radiologic Technologists and Technicians salary
The median annual wage for radiologic technologists and technicians is $80,110 (BLS OEWS May 2025; BLS Employment Projections 2025–35, national). The lowest 10 percent earn less than $55,980 and the highest 10 percent earn more than $118,660. The mean annual wage is $83,840.
The mean hourly wage of $40.00 is 5.5× the federal minimum wage of $7.25. State minimums are higher in most large states. Minimum wage by state →
How does your pay compare with people your age?
Your numbers are not sent or stored. The comparison uses this occupation's BLS wage percentiles, adjusted for age with BLS median weekly earnings by age group (Q3 2026).
Pay by percentile
Annual wage percentiles from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). Percentiles are a good proxy for pay by experience.
Projected pay for Radiologic Technologists and Technicians (3, 5 and 10 years)est.
Today $80,110 → in 3 years $87,900 → in 5 years $93,400 → in 10 years $109,000 (10-year range $93,700–$126,500). The model assumes pay growth of +3.1% per year.
What drives the annual growth rate
Projected pay = current pay × (1 + annual growth)^years. The annual growth rate starts from a base wage-growth rate and adds or subtracts labor demand (BLS projected employment growth), wage momentum and AI replacement risk for each occupation. Projections are not guarantees. How it is calculated →
Outlook score for Radiologic Technologists and Technicians
Each component is a percentile rank among all occupations in the same country (0–100). Weights: labor demand 25, wage momentum / openings 15, pay level 15, AI resistance 25, aging workforce 10 (Japan only), entry barrier 10.
Will AI replace Radiologic Technologists and Technicians? AI replacement risk
How AI is changing this job
A written analysis for this occupation is being prepared.
AI replacement risk compares the parts of a job that are easy to hand to AI or software (processing information, documentation, repetitive computer work) with the parts that are hard to automate (physical work, working closely with people, judgment in unpredictable settings), using O*NET work activities, work context, skills and knowledge. The result is a relative position among all occupations in the country, scaled to 0–100%. Methodology →
Labor demand for Radiologic Technologists and Technicians
Employment projections are from the BLS Employment Projections program (2025–35). Annual openings include both new jobs and replacement of workers who leave the occupation.
The same job in Japan
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians United States | 診療放射線技師 Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Median / average pay | $80,110 | ¥5.56M ≈ $35,388 |
| Pay in 10 years (est.) | $109,000 | ¥7.60M |
| Outlook score | 54 | 61 |
| AI replacement risk | 40% Low | 35% Low |
| Workers | 230K | — |
Matched by occupation (SOC code). Yen converted at 157.25 JPY/USD for reference; Japanese figures are averages, U.S. figures are medians, and the surveys define occupations differently.
Skills, education and requirements for Radiologic Technologists and Technicians
Key skills
O*NET skill level ratings (0–7).
Key knowledge areas
What the work involves
Important abilities
Training before entry
Related work experience
Job Zone 3 — medium preparation needed (O*NET)
Difficulty of entry: ★★☆☆☆ Fairly easy (from education, training, experience and Job Zone)
How to become radiologic technologists and technicians
A step-by-step guide for this occupation is being prepared. The education, training and experience data above show the typical path.
Career path and how to earn more as radiologic technologists and technicians
Career-path guidance is being prepared. Pay by percentile is shown in the Pay section.