Quick answer
Radiology techs earn a median salary of $68,420 per year according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Entry-level positions start around $46,850, while experienced techs in high-paying states or specialties earn $99,000 or more. Your actual pay depends on location, work setting, experience, and whether you hold additional certifications like MRI or CT.
What radiology techs earn nationally
The national salary range for radiologic technologists breaks down like this:
| Percentile | Annual Salary | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (entry-level) | $46,850 | $22.52 |
| 25th | $55,150 | $26.51 |
| 50th (median) | $68,420 | $32.89 |
| 75th | $80,890 | $38.89 |
| 90th (top earners) | $99,280 | $47.73 |
The median means half of all rad techs earn more and half earn less. Where you fall in this range depends on factors you can control—like specialization and location—and some you can’t, like local cost of living.
Key Takeaway
The gap between entry-level and top earners is over $52,000. Experience and specialty credentials are the biggest levers for moving up that range.
Salary by experience level
Year 1–2 (new grad): Most new radiology techs start between $46,000 and $55,000. You’re learning to work independently, building speed, and getting comfortable with different exam types. Some hospitals offer sign-on bonuses or shift differentials that push effective pay higher.
Years 3–5 (mid-career): With a few years under your belt, expect $58,000 to $72,000. You’re faster, more reliable, and likely taking on tougher cases. This is also when many techs start considering specialization.
Years 5–10 (experienced): Experienced techs with strong skills earn $72,000 to $85,000. At this stage, location and specialty certifications make the biggest difference. A general rad tech in a low-cost state might plateau, while one who adds MRI certification pushes past $85,000.
Years 10+ (senior/specialized): Senior techs, leads, and those with multiple modality certifications can earn $85,000 to $99,000+. Some move into management, education, or applications specialist roles for even higher pay.
Highest-paying states for radiology techs
Geography is one of the biggest salary drivers. The top-paying states for radiologic technologists include:
| State | Approximate Median Salary |
|---|---|
| California | ~$95,000 |
| Hawaii | ~$87,000 |
| Massachusetts | ~$85,000 |
| Alaska | ~$81,000 |
| Washington | ~$80,000 |
States like California and Massachusetts pay more, but cost of living is also higher. When comparing offers, look at the salary relative to local housing and expenses—not just the raw number.
Lower-cost states in the South and Midwest typically pay $55,000 to $65,000 for rad techs, but your purchasing power may be similar or even better than a higher salary in an expensive metro area.
Where you work matters: salary by setting
Your employer type affects your paycheck more than most techs realize:
- Hospitals pay the most on average, with medians around $70,000–$75,000. They also tend to offer better benefits, shift differentials, and overtime opportunities.
- Outpatient imaging centers typically pay $65,000–$72,000. Hours are more predictable (fewer nights and weekends), which some techs prefer.
- Physician offices tend to pay less ($55,000–$65,000), but the pace is usually slower and the schedule more regular.
- Travel radiology positions can pay $80,000–$110,000+ depending on the contract, location, and housing stipend. These are temporary assignments (8–26 weeks), and you’ll need at least 1–2 years of experience to qualify.
Tip
If pay is your top priority, look at hospital-based roles or travel positions first. If work-life balance matters more, outpatient centers often offer the best tradeoff.
How to earn more as a radiology tech
The fastest ways to increase your salary:
1. Add a specialty certification
This is the single biggest pay lever. Radiology techs who earn additional modality certifications—particularly in MRI or CT—see significant salary bumps. MRI technologists earn a median of $88,180 per year, roughly $20,000 more than general rad techs. If you’re already ARRT-registered, you can add MRI as a post-primary certification in 12–18 months.
2. Negotiate using market data
Many techs accept whatever offer they receive. Come to negotiations with BLS data, local salary surveys, and competing offers. Employers dealing with staffing shortages have more room to negotiate than they let on.
3. Work off-hours or pick up overtime
Evening, night, and weekend shifts often come with 10–20% differentials. In hospital settings, overtime can push annual earnings well above your base salary.
4. Relocate strategically
Moving from a low-paying region to a high-paying one—especially where demand is strong—can be worth $15,000–$25,000 per year. Research areas with high demand and reasonable cost of living for the best net gain.
5. Move into leadership or education
Lead technologist, department supervisor, and clinical instructor roles typically pay $80,000–$100,000+. These require experience and often a bachelor’s degree, but they’re a clear path to higher earnings without leaving the field.
Radiology tech pay vs. related roles
Wondering how rad tech salaries compare to similar healthcare careers?
| Role | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| CNA / Patient Care Tech | ~$36,000 |
| Radiology Tech (general) | $68,420 |
| CT Technologist | ~$75,000 |
| Ultrasound Tech | ~$81,000 |
| MRI Technologist | $88,180 |
| Radiation Therapist | ~$98,000 |
The progression from general radiology to a subspecialty like MRI represents one of the clearest salary upgrades in allied health. It’s also one of the most accessible—you don’t need to go back to school full-time. Many techs transition from radiology to MRI while continuing to work.
Learn how to go from radiology tech to MRI tech—and increase your earning potential by $20K+
Is the investment worth it?
Radiology tech programs typically take two years (associate degree) and cost between $11,000 and $55,000 depending on the program type. At a median salary of $68,420, most graduates recoup their educational investment within 1–3 years.
The career outlook is solid too. BLS projects 6% job growth for radiologic technologists through 2032, which is about as fast as the national average. An aging population needing more diagnostic imaging, combined with ongoing retirements, keeps demand steady.
For those coming from other healthcare roles—like CNAs looking to increase their earning potential—radiology tech offers a meaningful salary jump with a manageable training timeline.
Next steps
- If you’re already a rad tech looking to earn more, see our guide on how to go from radiology tech to MRI tech—MRI certification is the fastest path to a $20K+ raise.
- Considering the investment? Check out how much MRI tech school costs for a full breakdown of tuition, fees, and financial aid options.
- Exploring a career change into imaging? Start with CNA to MRI tech if you’re coming from a patient care background.
Related: Radiology tech to MRI tech | MRI tech school cost | CNA to MRI tech
Frequently Asked Questions
The median salary for radiologic technologists is $68,420 per year, or about $32.89 per hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The middle 50% of rad techs earn between $55,150 and $80,890 annually.
It depends on the nursing role. Radiology techs ($68,420 median) earn less than registered nurses ($81,220 median) but more than licensed practical nurses ($55,860 median). Specialized rad techs with MRI or CT certification can match or exceed RN pay.
California pays radiologic technologists the highest median salary at approximately $95,000 per year. Hawaii, Massachusetts, Alaska, and Washington also rank among the top-paying states for rad techs.
Entry-level radiology techs typically start between $46,000 and $55,000 per year. Starting salary depends on your location, employer type, and whether you work in a hospital, outpatient center, or physician's office.
Yes. Radiology techs in high-paying states, travel positions, or those with specialty certifications in MRI or CT can earn over $100,000. The top 10% of radiologic technologists earn $99,280 or more nationally.
The fastest way is adding a specialty certification like MRI (median $88,180) or CT. Other strategies include relocating to a higher-paying state, working hospital or travel positions, negotiating with market data, and picking up evening or weekend shifts with differentials.
A bachelor's degree can help you qualify for leadership, education, or management roles that pay more, but it does not automatically increase your clinical pay. Specialty certifications and experience have a bigger direct impact on salary than degree level alone.