Rad Tech Job Description
A radiology technician (rad tech) specializes in the use of imaging equipment like x-ray, CTs, MRIs, and mammography to produce quality images for diagnosis and treatment. They must position patients for imaging while protecting them from radiation. Radiology technician can sometimes be used interchangeably with radiology technologist, but technologists typically have a bachelor’s degree and earn a slightly higher salary.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the overall employment of radiology technicians/ technologists is estimated to grow 6% between 2022 and 2032, which is than the average for all occupations. There is expected to be between 15,700-16,000 openings annually due to an aging population and retirement. As of 2024, there is a shortage of radiology technicians with a vacancy rate of 18.1% according to the American Society of Radiologic Technologists.
Top 5 Highest and Lowest Paying States for Rad Tech Jobs in the US
Specific salary data can vary by state and is influenced by the demand for the specialty, cost of living, and regional economic conditions. According to ZipRecruiter, the highest and lowest paying states for Rad techs are as follows:
Top 5 Highest Paying States for Rad Techs:
1. Washington
2. New York
3. Massachusetts
4. Alaska
5. Vermont
Top 5 Lowest Paying States for Rad Techs:
1. Florida
2. West Virginia
3. Arkansas
4. Georgia
5. Louisiana
The state data varies between resources.
Historical Data For Salary Median
**Information from https://www.zippia.com/salaries/radiologic-technician/#salary-history-line-chart
Median salary, Entry-level salary, Average salary
Like other healthcare positions, the salary for a radiology technician in the U.S. is influenced by experience, location, and any additional certifications. According to the BLS, the median salary was $77,660 and the average salary was $75K/year. Entry-level salary is around $46K/year but varies significantly by region. The bottom 10% earn around $52,350 and top earners can make more than $106,990. Traveling radiology technicians can earn between $1,480-$4,200 per week and an hourly average of $65 to $105 per hour.
Average Radiology Technician Job Salary by State (for non-traveling techs)
| State | Annual Salary | Weekly Salary | Hourly Wage |
| Alabama | $45,193 | $896 | $21.73 |
| Alaska | $53,901 | $1,037 | $25.91 |
| Arizona | $57,384 | $1,104 | $27.59 |
| Arkansas | $42,192 | $811 | $20.28 |
| California | $73,568 | $1,415 | $35.37 |
| Colorado | $44,316 | $852 | $21.31 |
| Connecticut | $56,029 | $1,077 | $26.94 |
| Delaware | $50,804 | $977 | $24.43 |
| Florida | $48,270 | $928 | $23.21 |
| Georgia | $49,762 | $957 | $23.92 |
| Hawaii | $63,152 | $1,214 | $30.36 |
| Idaho | $55,240 | $1.062 | $26.56 |
| Illinois | $47,038 | $905 | $22.61 |
| Indiana | $42,610 | $819 | $20.49 |
| Iowa | $38,592 | $742 | $18.55 |
| Kansas | $40,558 | $780 | $19.50 |
| Kentucky | $41,669 | $801 | $20.03 |
| Louisiana | $46,101 | $887 | $22.16 |
| Maine | $49,487 | $952 | $23.79 |
| Maryland | $57,666 | $1,109 | $27.72 |
| Massachusetts | $63,932 | $1,229 | $30.74 |
| Michigan | $53,467 | $1,028 | $25.71 |
| Minnesota | $45,261 | $870 | $21.76 |
| Mississippi | $56,163 | $1,080 | $27.00 |
| Missouri | $40,301 | $775 | $19.38 |
| Montana | $38,876 | $748 | $18.69 |
| Nebraska | $39,635 | $762 | $19.06 |
| Nevada | $64,775 | $1,246 | $31.14 |
| New Hampshire | $55,350 | $1,064 | $26.61 |
| New Jersey | $64,840 | $1,247 | $31.17 |
| New Mexico | $63,288 | $1,217 | $30.43 |
| New York | $64,804 | $1,246 | $31.16 |
| North Carolina | $46,079 | $886 | $22.15 |
| North Dakota | $39,490 | $759 | $18.99 |
| Ohio | $42,398 | $815 | $20.38 |
| Oklahoma | $52,084 | $1,002 | $25.04 |
| Oregon | $57,700 | $1,110 | $27.74 |
| Pennsylvania | $47,703 | $917 | $22.93 |
| Rhode Island | $52,081 | $1,002 | $25.04 |
| South Carolina | $47,851 | $920 | $23.01 |
| South Dakota | $38,771 | $746 | $18.64 |
| Tennessee | $53,329 | $1,026 | $25.64 |
| Texas | $50,515 | $971 | $24.29 |
| Utah | $45,664 | $878 | $21.95 |
| Vermont | $51,817 | $996 | $24.91 |
| Virginia | $53,164 | $1,022 | $25.56 |
| Washington | $53,245 | $1,024 | $25.60 |
| West Virginia | $49,225 | $947 | $23.67 |
| Wisconsin | $41,858 | $805 | $20.12 |
| Wyoming | $46,745 | $899 | $22.47 |
**Data from Zippia
Average Radiology Technician Job Salary by State (for traveling techs)
| State | Annual Salary | Weekly Salary | Hourly Wage |
| Alabama (Birmingham) | $89,876 | $1,728 | $43.20 |
| Alaska (Juneau) | $101,626 | $1,954 | $48.85 |
| Arizona (Phoenix) | $ 95,219 | $1,831 | $45.77 |
| Arkansas (Little Rock) | $91,981 | $1,769 | $44.22 |
| California (San Francisco) | $112,986 | $2,173 | $54.32 |
| Colorado (Boulder) | $99,457 | $1,913 | $47.82 |
| Connecticut (Hartford) | $96,735 | $1,860 | $46.50 |
| Delaware (Dover) | $95,846 | $1,843 | $46.08 |
| Florida (Miami) | $91,722 | $1,764 | $44.10 |
| Georgia (Atlanta) | $92,222 | $1,774 | $44.35 |
| Hawaii (Honolulu) | $94,711 | $1,821 | $45.52 |
| Idaho (Boise) | $91,273 | $1,755 | $43.88 |
| Illinois (Chicago) | $98,790 | $1,900 | $47.50 |
| Indiana (Indianapolis) | $91,667 | $1,763 | $44.06 |
| Iowa (Des Moines) | $93,590 | $1,800 | $45.00 |
| Kansas (Topeka) | $90,250 | $1,736 | $43.40 |
| Kentucky (Lexington) | $95,315 | $1,833 | $45.82 |
| Louisiana (New Orleans) | $92,098 | $1,771 | $44.27 |
| Maine (Portland) | $98,116 | $1,887 | $47.17 |
| Maryland (Annapolis) | $94,933 | $1,826 | $45.65 |
| Massachusetts (Boston) | $104,185 | $2,004 | $50.10 |
| Michigan (Detroit) | $94,937 | $1,826 | $45.65 |
| Minnesota (St Paul) | $96,990 | $1,865 | $46.62 |
| Mississippi (Jackson) | $83,569 | $1,607 | $40.17 |
| Missouri (Jefferson City) | $90,896 | $1,748 | $43.70 |
| Montana (Helena) | $90,879 | $1,748 | $43.70 |
| Nebraska (Lincoln) | $83,491 | $1,606 | $40.15 |
| Nevada (Carson City) | $93,921 | $1,806 | $45.15 |
| New Hampshire (Concord) | $96,530 | $1,856 | $46.40 |
| New Jersey (Trenton) | $96,163 | $1,849 | $46.22 |
| New Mexico (Santa Fe) | $94,137 | $1,810 | $45.25 |
| New York (Manhattan) | $105,837 | $2,035 | $50.87 |
| North Carolina (Charlotte) | $93,666 | $1,801 | $45.00 |
| North Dakota (Bismark) | $95,547 | $1,837 | $45.92 |
| Ohio (Columbus) | $92,629 | $1,781 | $44.53 |
| Oklahoma (OK City) | $89,086 | $1,713 | $42.82 |
| Oregon (Portland) | $101,701 | $1,956 | $48.90 |
| Pennsylvania (Philadelphia) | $96,770 | $1,861 | $46.52 |
| Rhode Island (Providence) | $96,880 | $1,863 | $46.58 |
| South Carolina (Charleston) | $89,744 | $1,726 | $43.15 |
| South Dakota (Pierre) | $95,557 | $1,838 | $45.95 |
| Tennessee (Nashville) | $92,628 | $1,781 | $44.52 |
| Texas (Austin) | $95,056 | $1,828 | $45.70 |
| Utah (Salt Lake City) | $92,803 | $1,785 | $44.62 |
| Vermont (Montpelier) | $96,950 | $1,864 | $46.60 |
| Virginia (Richmond) | $94,905 | $1,825 | $45.62 |
| Washington (Spokane) | $96,966 | $1,865 | $46.62 |
| West Virginia (Charleston) | $93,202 | $1,792 | $44.80 |
| Wisconsin (Green Bay) | $93,277 | $1,794 | $44.85 |
| Wyoming (Cheyenne) | $90,875 | $1,748 | $43.70 |
Data according to Zippia
What is the average incentive bonus for a Rad Tech Job?
Radiology technicians can earn many types of bonuses including a sign-on from $5-$25K, shift-based, and overtime. They may be eligible to earn up to $200 for taking four additional shifts and their overtime rate is usually based on their base pay.
Employed vs. self-employed Rad Tech Job
Employed rad techs earn a stable salary, and are provided with health insurance, retirement plans and time off. They have less financial risk; however, they also have reduced earning potential. Self-employed rad techs, especially if traveling, have substantially high earnings and greater flexibility but will have to find their own health insurance and fund their own retirement.
Most common benefits for a Radiology Technician
Being a radiology technician comes with both professional and personal benefits including:
1. Career Stability- There is high demand for rad techs due to an aging population and an increased demand for imaging.
2. Competitive Pay- Rad techs earn more than the median U.S. salary and have opportunities to earn bonuses, overtime, and shift differentials.
3. Opportunity to Specialize- Rad techs can earn certifications in MRI, CT, mammography and interventional radiology for higher pay.
4. Work-Life Balance- Techs can take 12-hour, weekend or traveling roles to schedule around their family needs.
5. Patient Relationships- Radiology techs directly work with patients and make them feel at ease with the procedure which is fulfilling.
6. Physical Activity- The career is less sedentary than other jobs due to moving and positioning patients and equipment.
7. Adventure – Rad techs can work in many states and have opportunities to see and experience unique settings in traveling roles.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the average salary for a radiology technician in the U.S.?
Like other occupations, salary varies based on experience, location, and education, but nationwide, radiology technicians earn $75K-$78K annually.
2. How much do entry-level radiology technicians make?
New grads or those with less than two years of experience can earn around $46K–$47K annually.
3. Can a specialization increase a radiology tech’s salary?
Additional certifications in specialized areas of imaging like CT or MRI can increase a rad tech’s base pay by $2-$10/hour.
4. Do radiology technicians earn overtime or bonuses?
Yes, Rad techs can earn overtime, on-call pay, shift differentials, and bonuses (sign-on, retention, referral).
5. How much can a traveling radiology technician earn?
Travel rad techs can earn $2,000–$3,500+ per week, which can total $100K–$170K/year, plus stipends for housing and meals.
Check out our open Radiology Technologist positions here!