Radiology techs earn a median salary of $77,660 per year ($37.34/hour) according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS, May 2024). Top earners — the 90th percentile — make $106,990 or more. Entry-level radiologic technologists typically start around $46,850, with pay climbing based on location, experience, certifications, and work setting.
That $77,660 median places radiology technology solidly in the middle tier of medical imaging careers. Techs who specialize further — adding MRI, CT, or mammography credentials — consistently earn more. Below is the full breakdown.
National radiology tech salary by percentile
The BLS breaks down radiologic technologist wages (SOC 29-2034) across the pay distribution:
| Percentile | Annual salary | Hourly wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (entry-level) | ~$46,850 | ~$22.52 |
| 25th | ~$60,380 | ~$29.03 |
| 50th (median) | $77,660 | $37.34 |
| 75th | ~$89,200 | ~$42.88 |
| 90th (top earners) | $106,990+ | $51.44+ |
The spread between entry-level and top-earner pay is roughly $60,000. That gap represents what experience, location, and additional credentials are actually worth in dollar terms.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2024. Radiologic Technologists and Technicians (SOC 29-2034).
Radiology tech salary by state
Geography is the single largest factor in radiology tech pay. The same role can pay $40,000 more depending on your state.
Highest-paying states:
| State | Approximate median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $95,000–$105,000 |
| Hawaii | $85,000–$95,000 |
| Massachusetts | $80,000–$92,000 |
| Washington | $80,000–$90,000 |
| Alaska | $78,000–$88,000 |
Lower-paying states:
| State | Approximate median salary |
|---|---|
| Mississippi | $45,000–$55,000 |
| Alabama | $48,000–$58,000 |
| West Virginia | $48,000–$58,000 |
Raw salary numbers only tell part of the story. A $75,000 radiology tech salary in Texas or Colorado often stretches further than $100,000 in San Francisco once you factor in housing, taxes, and cost of living. Always weigh salary against local expenses before choosing a location.
Radiology tech salary by experience level
Experience is the factor most within your control.
0–2 years (entry-level): $46,000–$60,000. New graduates land in this range in most markets. You are building speed, developing your eye for image quality, and learning departmental protocols. The good news: demand for rad techs is steady enough that even new grads have options.
3–5 years (mid-career): $65,000–$80,000. You can handle a full patient load independently, troubleshoot equipment issues, and train students. Many techs start adding modalities — CT, fluoroscopy, or mammography — in this window, which pushes pay higher.
6–10 years (experienced): $78,000–$95,000. Experienced techs with additional certifications consistently earn at the upper end. Lead technologist roles start opening up at this stage.
10+ years (senior): $90,000–$107,000+. Senior radiology techs often move into lead roles, quality assurance, education, or department management. These positions carry more responsibility but also push total compensation into the top 10 percent.
Radiology tech salary by work setting
Where you work affects your paycheck almost as much as where you live.
Hospitals pay the highest base salaries on average and offer the most comprehensive benefits: retirement matching, tuition reimbursement, shift differentials for nights and weekends, and union-negotiated raises in some systems. The tradeoff is less predictable scheduling — expect some combination of nights, weekends, and on-call shifts.
Outpatient imaging centers typically pay slightly less in base salary but offer consistent Monday-through-Friday schedules with no overnight shifts. For techs who value schedule predictability, this tradeoff often works.
Urgent care and orthopedic clinics employ rad techs for point-of-care X-ray. These roles tend to pay less than hospital positions but involve a narrower scope of work and more predictable hours.
Travel radiology tech positions push total compensation higher through tax-free housing stipends and per diem pay. Contracts typically run 13 weeks with the flexibility to choose your next location. Travel techs frequently clear $80,000–$100,000+ even in moderate-pay markets.
How radiology tech salary compares to similar roles
Understanding where radiology tech pay sits relative to other imaging careers helps frame the value of adding specializations.
| Role | Median annual salary | Difference vs. rad tech |
|---|---|---|
| Radiologic Technologist | $77,660 | — |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $84,990 | +$7,330 |
| MRI Technologist | $88,180 | +$10,520 |
| Nuclear Medicine Technologist | $92,500 | +$14,840 |
| Radiation Therapist | $98,300 | +$20,640 |
Source: BLS OEWS May 2024 data.
The key takeaway: radiology technology is a strong starting point, but every imaging specialty above it on this table pays more. MRI technology offers one of the most accessible jumps — you can add MRI credentials in 12 to 18 months and immediately move into a role that pays $10,000+ more per year.
Key Takeaway
MRI technologists earn $10,520 more per year than radiologic technologists at the median. Over a 20-year career, that’s more than $200,000 in additional earnings. If you’re already working as a rad tech, the switch to MRI is one of the highest-ROI career moves in healthcare.
How to increase your radiology tech salary
These are the highest-leverage moves for boosting your pay, whether you are already working or still planning your entry into the field.
1. Add a specialty modality. CT, MRI, mammography, and interventional radiology each command higher pay than general radiography. MRI offers the largest accessible salary bump — $10,520 more per year at the median — and programs like Tesla MR Institute can prepare you in 12 to 18 months without requiring a new degree.
2. Negotiate at hire. Research local salary data before your interview and come prepared with specific numbers. A $3,000–$5,000 bump at hire compounds over your entire career.
3. Pick up shift differentials. Evening and weekend differentials typically add $2–$6 per hour on top of your base rate. Over a year of regular evening shifts, that is $4,000–$12,000 in additional income.
4. Relocate strategically. Moving from a low-paying state to a high-paying state with a reasonable cost of living — Colorado, Washington, or Minnesota, for example — can boost your net income by $10,000–$20,000 annually.
5. Consider travel assignments. Even one or two 13-week travel contracts can accelerate your savings and expose you to different clinical environments, making you a stronger candidate for permanent positions.
The MRI specialization path
If you are a radiology tech looking at salary data and thinking about your next move, MRI is worth a serious look. Here is why the numbers work:
- Salary increase: $77,660 (rad tech median) to $88,180 (MRI tech median) — a $10,520 annual raise
- Training time: 12–18 months through a certificate program, often while continuing to work
- Training cost: Programs start at $11,000, with many employers offering tuition reimbursement
- No radiation exposure: MRI uses magnetic fields, not ionizing radiation
- Stronger job market: The MRI tech vacancy rate sits at approximately 17.4 percent nationally
Career changers from outside healthcare can also enter MRI directly through the ARMRIT certification pathway — no prior radiology credentials required. Guides like CNA to MRI Tech cover the step-by-step process for specific starting points.
Next steps
- See MRI vs. rad tech pay in detail: MRI Tech vs. Rad Tech Salary breaks down the $10,520 gap by experience level and setting.
- Already work at a hospital? Here’s how to become an MRI technologist covers the fastest path for current healthcare workers.
- Understand the training investment: How Much Does MRI Tech School Cost? covers the full $11,000–$55,000 range depending on program type.
- Learn the difference: MRI Technologist vs. Radiology Technologist explains how the two roles compare beyond salary.
Frequently Asked Questions
The median radiologic technologist salary is $77,660 per year ($37.34 per hour) according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) May 2024 data. The top 10 percent of radiology techs earn $106,990 or more, while entry-level technologists typically start around $46,850.
California leads with median radiology tech salaries between $95,000 and $105,000, followed by Hawaii, Massachusetts, Washington, and Alaska. However, cost of living varies significantly — a $75,000 salary in Texas or Colorado often stretches further than $100,000 in coastal California.
Hospitals generally pay radiology techs higher base salaries and provide more comprehensive benefits including retirement matching, shift differentials, and tuition reimbursement. Outpatient imaging centers may offer slightly lower base pay but typically provide more predictable Monday-through-Friday schedules with no overnight shifts.
MRI technologists earn a median of $88,180 per year compared to $77,660 for radiologic technologists — a difference of $10,520 annually according to BLS May 2024 data. Over a 20-year career, that gap adds up to more than $200,000 in additional earnings.
Most radiologic technologists complete a two-year associate degree program in radiologic technology accredited by JRCERT. After graduation, you must pass the ARRT certification exam. Some programs offer bachelor's degrees (four years), and a few certificate programs exist for career changers with prior healthcare education.
Yes. Radiology techs in high-paying states like California and Hawaii regularly exceed $100,000. Experienced techs who add specializations — MRI, CT, mammography, or interventional radiology — can also clear six figures in moderate-cost states, especially with shift differentials or travel assignments.
The BLS projects 5 percent job growth for radiologic technologists from 2023 to 2033, which is faster than average for all occupations. An aging population requiring more diagnostic imaging drives demand, and retirement among existing techs creates additional openings each year.
Radiology technology offers a solid middle-class salary with only a two-year degree, faster-than-average job growth, and clear advancement paths into higher-paying specialties like MRI, CT, or interventional radiology. The combination of stable demand, reasonable training time, and upward mobility makes it one of the stronger allied health career choices.