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.
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.