The median x-ray tech salary is $77,660 per year ($37.34/hour), according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS, May 2024). Top earners—the 90th percentile—make approximately $105,000 or more. Entry-level radiologic technologists typically start between $46,000 and $58,000, with pay climbing based on location, experience, and specialization.
That $77K median places x-ray techs solidly in the middle tier of medical imaging salaries. It’s roughly $10,500 less per year than what MRI technologists earn ($88,180 median), a gap that reflects MRI’s additional training requirements and higher vacancy rates. If you’re weighing your options, understanding that spread matters.
Below is the full breakdown of x-ray tech salary by percentile, state, experience, and work setting—plus the most effective ways to increase your pay.
National x-ray 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) | ~$49,000 | ~$23.56 |
| 25th | ~$61,000 | ~$29.33 |
| 50th (median) | $77,660 | $37.34 |
| 75th | ~$93,000 | ~$44.71 |
| 90th (top earners) | ~$105,000+ | ~$50.48+ |
Source: BLS OEWS May 2024 data. “X-ray tech” and “radiologic technologist” refer to the same occupation (SOC 29-2034).
The roughly $56,000 spread between the 10th and 90th percentile reflects real differences in geography, experience, and whether you’ve added specialty certifications. Where you work and what you can do beyond general radiography determines where you fall in that range.
X-ray tech salary by state
Geography is the single largest factor in x-ray tech pay. The same job can pay $40,000+ more depending on your state.
Highest-paying states:
| State | Approximate median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $95,000–$110,000 |
| Hawaii | $85,000–$95,000 |
| Massachusetts | $80,000–$90,000 |
| Washington | $80,000–$90,000 |
| Oregon | $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 $100,000 x-ray tech salary in the San Francisco Bay Area gets eaten by $3,000+ monthly rent. A $75,000 salary in a Colorado market often stretches further once you factor in housing, taxes, and everyday expenses. Always compare salary against local cost of living before choosing a location.
X-ray tech salary by experience level
Experience is the factor most within your control. Here’s how pay typically progresses:
0–2 years (entry-level): $46,000–$58,000. New graduates start here regardless of location. You’re building speed on routine exams, learning department workflows, and handling your first trauma and portable cases. Most hospitals start new rad techs near the 25th percentile for their local market.
3–5 years (mid-career): $65,000–$82,000. You can handle trauma, fluoroscopy, OR cases, and portables without supervision. This is where many techs start thinking about adding a modality—and where the salary gap between a general x-ray tech and one with CT or MRI credentials becomes obvious.
6–10 years (experienced): $80,000–$95,000. Experienced techs who’ve earned additional certifications—CT, mammography, bone densitometry, or MRI—consistently land at the higher end of this range. Lead technologist roles open up here as well.
10+ years (senior): $90,000–$105,000+. Senior techs often move into lead roles, clinical education, departmental management, or applications specialist positions with equipment manufacturers. These paths add responsibilities but also push total compensation into the top 10 percent.
X-ray tech salary by work setting
Your employer type affects both your paycheck and your daily experience.
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 often union-negotiated raises. The tradeoff is less predictable scheduling. Expect some combination of nights, weekends, holidays, and on-call shifts. ER-based rad techs see higher patient volumes but earn more through shift differentials—typically $3–$6 per hour extra for evening and overnight work.
Outpatient imaging centers typically pay slightly less in base salary but offer consistent Monday-through-Friday schedules with no overnight shifts. For techs who prioritize predictability and work-life balance over maximizing gross pay, this tradeoff works well.
Urgent care and orthopedic clinics employ x-ray techs for limited exam types—mostly extremity and chest x-rays. Pay is typically lower than hospital positions, but the pace is steadier and the scope of work is more routine.
Travel rad tech positions push total compensation past $90,000–$100,000 through base pay plus tax-free housing stipends and per diem. Contracts run 8–13 weeks with the flexibility to choose your next location. The downsides: constant adjustment to new departments, equipment, and protocols, and limited benefits between assignments.
How to increase your x-ray tech salary
Whether you’re already working in x-ray or still in school, these strategies have the highest salary impact:
1. Add a cross-sectional modality. CT certification is the most common add-on for rad techs and can boost pay by $5,000–$10,000 annually. MRI specialization offers an even larger bump—MRI technologists earn a median of $88,180, roughly $10,500 more per year than general radiologic technologists. If you already hold ARRT credentials in radiography, you can add MRI through the post-primary pathway in as little as 6–12 months of focused training.
2. Negotiate at hire, not after. Research local salary data before your interview. The ongoing rad tech vacancy rate means employers are competing for qualified candidates. Come prepared with specific numbers from your market—not a vague ask for “competitive pay.”
3. Pick up evening or weekend shifts. Shift differentials add $3–$6 per hour on top of your base rate. Over a year of regular evening shifts, that translates to $6,000–$12,000 in additional income without changing jobs.
4. Pursue mammography certification. MQSA-qualified mammography techs are in consistent demand, and the certification adds a dedicated revenue stream for your employer—which translates directly to higher pay and stronger job security for you.
5. Relocate strategically. Moving from a lower-paying state to a moderate-or-high-paying market with reasonable cost of living (Colorado, Minnesota, Oregon) can increase your net take-home pay by $10,000–$20,000 annually without requiring any additional credentials.
6. Try travel assignments. Even one or two 13-week contracts can accelerate your savings significantly. Many techs use travel stints to pay down student loans or build a financial cushion, then return to a permanent position with broader experience and stronger negotiating leverage.
X-ray tech salary vs. related imaging roles
Understanding where x-ray tech pay sits relative to other modalities helps you evaluate whether specialization is worth the additional training time.
| Role | Median annual salary | Difference vs. x-ray tech |
|---|---|---|
| Radiologic Technologist (x-ray) | $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.
Every modality above x-ray requires additional training, but the salary increases are substantial and permanent. MRI offers one of the most accessible upgrade paths for existing rad techs—the ARRT post-primary credential builds directly on your radiography foundation.
For people evaluating medical imaging careers without any prior credentials, it’s worth knowing that direct-entry MRI programs exist. These train you specifically in MRI without completing a radiography program first, reaching the higher MRI salary floor in a comparable timeframe to an associate degree in radiologic technology.
If you’re earlier in your career exploration, the MRI tech aide role offers a lower-barrier entry point into imaging with a clear stepping-stone path toward full technologist credentials and pay.
Next steps
- Considering MRI specialization? How to Become an MRI Tech Without X-Ray Certification explains the ARMRIT direct-entry pathway and how it compares to the ARRT post-primary route for existing rad techs.
- Exploring entry-level imaging roles: The MRI Tech Aide Career Guide covers how to start in imaging with no prior credentials—and the salary progression from aide to fully credentialed technologist.
- Compare salary outcomes by state: MRI Tech Programs in Colorado breaks down salary data, clinical placements, and training costs in one of the best cost-of-living-adjusted markets for imaging professionals.
Frequently Asked Questions
The median x-ray tech (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 most recent release available. The top 10 percent earn approximately $105,000 or more, while entry-level technologists typically start between $46,000 and $58,000 depending on location.
California leads with median salaries between $95,000 and $110,000, followed by Hawaii ($85,000–$95,000), Massachusetts ($80,000–$90,000), and Washington ($80,000–$90,000). However, cost of living varies significantly—a $75,000 salary in Colorado or the Midwest often stretches further than $100,000 in coastal California or Hawaii.
Entry-level radiologic technologists with 0–2 years of experience typically earn between $46,000 and $58,000 per year. The BLS 10th percentile wage for the occupation sits around $49,000 annually. Starting pay varies primarily by state and employer type, with hospitals generally offering higher starting salaries and benefits than outpatient clinics.
Yes. X-ray techs in high-paying states like California regularly earn six figures. In moderate-pay states, experienced techs who add specializations (CT, mammography, or MRI), work evening or weekend shifts with differentials, or take travel assignments can also clear $100,000. The 90th percentile for the occupation exceeds $105,000 nationally.
Yes. MRI technologists earn a median salary of $88,180 per year—roughly $10,520 more than radiologic technologists at $77,660 (BLS May 2024). The gap reflects MRI's specialized training requirements and a national vacancy rate around 17.4 percent. Existing x-ray techs can add MRI certification through ARRT's post-primary pathway, typically in 6–12 months of additional training.
For the training investment, yes. Most radiologic technology programs take two years (associate degree), and graduates enter a field with a $77,660 median salary, strong job security, and clear advancement paths. By comparison, many four-year degrees lead to lower starting salaries. Adding a modality like CT or MRI after your initial credential can push earnings above $88,000 with minimal additional schooling.
The highest-impact strategies are: (1) add a cross-sectional modality like CT or MRI, which can boost pay by $5,000–$10,500 annually; (2) negotiate aggressively at hire using local salary data; (3) pick up evening or weekend shifts for $3–$6/hour differentials; (4) relocate to a higher-paying market with reasonable cost of living; and (5) consider travel assignments, which can push total compensation past $90,000–$100,000.