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X-Ray Tech Salary | How Much Money Does a Radiologic Technologist Make?

How much money does an x-ray tech make? What are the education requirements? Those are all great questions. In this article (and video), you’ll learn the job overview and duties of an x-ray tech (also called a radiologic technologist), as well as the education requirements and salary overview. This page also contains detailed salary information for all 50 states for radiologic technologists (x-ray techs).

X-Ray Tech Job Overview

X-Ray techs do a variety of tasks, including taking x-rays and digital imaging. Some of the daily tasks of a radiologic technologists include the following:

Radiologic and MRI technologists typically do the following:

  • Adjust and maintain imaging equipment
  • Precisely follow orders from physicians on what areas of the body to image
  • Prepare patients for procedures, including taking a medical history and answering questions about the procedure
  • Protect the patient by shielding exposed areas that do not need to be imaged
  • Position the patient and the equipment in order to get the correct image
  • Operate the computerized equipment to take the images
  • Work with physicians to evaluate the images and to determine whether additional images need to be taken
  • Keep detailed patient records

Healthcare professionals use many types of equipment to diagnose patients. Radiologic technologists specialize in x-ray and computed tomography (CT) imaging. Some radiologic technologists prepare a mixture for the patient to drink that allows soft tissue to be viewed on the images that the radiologist reviews. Radiologic technologists might also specialize in mammography. Mammographers use low-dose x-ray systems to produce images of the breast. Technologists may be certified in multiple specialties.

In addition, x-ray techs can become certified in MRI imaging.

Radiologic Technologist Education Requirements

In order to become an x-ray tech, individuals must meet the requirements set forth by the state board. While states vary on the education requirements, most individuals become x-ray techs through an associate’s degree program. Graduate certificates and bachelor’s degree programs are also available in some states.

Most, if not all, states also require licensing. The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) provides examinations or certifications for most states. They also provide MRI certification for radiologic technologists who meet the state guidelines.

See also a similar profession: Radiation therapist salary.

X-Ray Tech Salary Information

How much money does an x-ray tech make? Radiologic technologists earn an average hourly wage of $27.65, or an annual average salary of $57,510. Here are some additional salary statistics for this profession:

Employment estimate and mean wage estimates for this occupation:

Employment Employment RSE Mean hourly wage Mean annual wage Wage RSE
193,400 0.9 % $27.65 $57,510 0.3 %

Percentile wage estimates for this occupation:

Percentile 10% 25% 50% (Median) 75% 90%
Hourly Wage $18.08 $21.77 $26.86 $32.89 $38.50
Annual Wage $37,610 $45,280 $55,870 $68,420 $80,080

Industries with the highest levels of employment in this occupation:

Industry Employment Percent of industry employment Hourly mean wage Annual mean wage
General Medical and Surgical Hospitals 113,840 2.17 $28.18 $58,610
Offices of Physicians 41,570 1.69 $25.75 $53,560
Medical and Diagnostic Laboratories 15,950 6.39 $27.90 $58,030
Outpatient Care Centers 7,820 1.12 $27.80 $57,830
Federal Executive Branch (OES Designation) 4,900 0.25 $28.87 $60,040

Top paying industries for this occupation:

Industry Employment Percent of industry employment Hourly mean wage Annual mean wage
Commercial and Industrial Machinery and Equipment Rental and Leasing 60 0.04 $34.86 $72,500
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools 1,430 0.05 $31.69 $65,920
Nursing Care Facilities (Skilled Nursing Facilities) 40 n/a $31.13 $64,750
Specialty (except Psychiatric and Substance Abuse) Hospitals 2,370 0.96 $30.60 $63,650
Scientific Research and Development Services 120 0.02 $30.07 $62,540

Top paying states for this occupation:

State Employment Employment per thousand jobs Location quotient Hourly mean wage Annual mean wage
California 15,490 1.02 0.72 $35.36 $73,550
District of Columbia 510 0.76 0.53 $34.87 $72,530
Massachusetts 4,680 1.41 0.98 $33.66 $70,010
Alaska 450 1.38 0.97 $33.11 $68,870
Hawaii 680 1.11 0.77 $32.78 $68,190

Lowest paying states:

West Virginia 22.06 45,880
Alabama 22.08 45,930
South Dakota 22.25 46,280

X-Ray Tech Salary by State:

Area name Hourly mean wage Annual mean wage Annual median wage
Alabama 22.08 45,930 45,290
Alaska 33.11 68,870 69,110
Arizona 29.31 60,960 59,860
Arkansas 22.32 46,410 45,060
California 35.36 73,550 72,690
Colorado 29.06 60450 58,980
Connecticut 30.74 63,940 63,380
Delaware 28.31 58,890 57,730
District of Columbia 34.87 72,530 72,980
Florida 24.40 50,760 50,200
Georgia 24.81 51,590 50,790
Guam 18.93 39,380 38,310
Hawaii 32.78 68,190 69,250
Idaho 24.96 51,920 50,430
Illinois 28.62 59,520 59,040
Indiana 25.90 53,870 52,400
Iowa 23.36 48,590 47,570
Kansas 23.67 49,240 48,110
Kentucky 24.21 50,370 49,410
Louisiana 23.06 47,970 47,240
Maine 27.12 56,420 55,950
Maryland 30.25 62,920 62,830
Massachusetts 33.66 70,010 69,410
Michigan 25.25 52,530 52,440
Minnesota 30.17 62,760 62,960
Mississippi 22.59 46,980 45,900
Missouri 24.67 51,310 50,070
Montana 25.66 53,380 51,280
Nebraska 24.19 50,320 49,250
Nevada 31.07 64,610 62,460
New Hampshire 29.80 61,970 61,260
New Jersey 31.44 65,400 65,370
New Mexico 27.74 57,700 56,760
New York 31.87 66,280 66,250
North Carolina 26.22 54,540 54,040
North Dakota 23.05 47,950 47,750
Ohio 25.35 52,730 52,870
Oklahoma 26.55 55,210 49,400
Oregon 31.58 65,690 65,600
Pennsylvania 25.98 54,040 53,030
Puerto Rico 12.74 26,510 23,510
Rhode Island 31.89 66,330 66,730
South Carolina 23.50 48,870 47,800
South Dakota 22.25 46,280 45,720
Tennessee 23.68 49,250 48,850
Texas 26.08 54,250 54,160
Utah 25.72 53,500 51,230
Vermont 27.83 57,890 55,590
Virginia 27.56 57,330 55,860
Washington 32.69 68,000 66,920
West Virginia 22.06 45,880 45,390
Wisconsin 26.10 54,290 54,040
Wyoming 24.99 51,970 50,980

References:

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014-15 Edition, Radiologic Technologist, on the Internet at bls.gov.

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