Medical Skilled Trades
Radiologic Technologist (X-Ray)
Radiologic technologists take X-rays and other images that doctors use to diagnose injuries and disease. An associate's degree gets you in, and the same credential opens the door to CT and MRI.
1.Career snapshot
- Role
- Radiologic Technologist (X-Ray)
- Pay (planning range)
- $60K–$100K+ Wealth Playbook guide, 2026
- Training time
- ~2 years
- Pathway
- Medical Imaging
- Demand
- Employment of radiologic technologists and technicians is projected to grow 5 percent from 2025 to 2035 (BLS projections table), faster than the average for all occupations.
- Patient contact
- High
- Occupation code
- SOC 29-2034 · O*NET 29-2034.00
- Diagnostic / technology-focused
- Career advancement potential
2.What you'll do
Everyday work and where it happens
You follow the physician's order for which part of the body to image, explain the procedure, and shield the areas that should not be exposed. You position the patient and the equipment, take the images, and check them with the radiologist to see whether more are needed. You keep detailed records and look after the imaging equipment.
Typical duties
- Follow physicians' orders on which areas of the body to image
- Prepare patients, take medical histories and shield areas not being imaged
- Position patients and equipment to get the correct image
- Operate computerized imaging equipment
- Work with physicians to evaluate images and decide whether more are needed
- Adjust and maintain imaging equipment and keep patient records
- Where you could work
- Hospitals, Offices of physicians, Medical and diagnostic laboratories, Outpatient care centers, Federal government
- Schedule
- Most radiologic technologists work full time. Because imaging is sometimes needed in emergencies, some work evenings, weekends or overnight shifts.
- Physical demands
- You are often on your feet for long periods and may need to lift or turn patients. You wear a radiation badge and use lead aprons and shielding to limit exposure.
- Patient contact
- High
3.How to get there
Education, training, exams and licensing
- Typical training
- Associate degree + certification/licensure
- Training time
- ~2 years
1.Take science and math in high school
Anatomy, physics and math are good preparation.
2.Earn an associate's degree in radiography
Choose an ARRT-approved program; it combines coursework with clinical work. ARRT requires an associate's degree or higher plus completion of an ARRT-approved program in radiography before you take its exam.
3.Pass the ARRT Radiography exam
ARRT's primary pathway requires education, an ethics review and the exam. Passing gives you the R.T.(R)(ARRT) credential.
4.Get your state license or certification
Most states require radiologic technologists to be licensed or certified, usually by graduating from an accredited program and passing a state exam or holding ARRT certification. Employers may also require or prefer CPR or BLS certification.
Exams and credentials
- ARRT certification and registration in Radiography, R.T.(R)(ARRT) (American Registry of Radiologic Technologists)
Licensing
Most states require radiologic technologists to be licensed or certified. Typically you must graduate from an accredited program and either pass a state exam or hold certification from a credentialing organization such as ARRT. Requirements vary by state; check your state health board.
Look up your state's license requirements (opens in a new tab)
4.What it costs
Tuition, fees, exams and financial aid
Costs vary by program.
ARRT primary pathway application fee: $225; reapplying after a failed attempt: $200 (arrt.org, read October 2026). State licensing fees are separate.
Grants, loans and work-study can help pay for an eligible program. Start with the FAFSA at studentaid.gov (opens in a new tab), and ask each program what its total cost includes.
5.What you can earn
Starting, median and experienced pay, and where the figures come from
Planning range
$60K–$100K+
Planning range from the Wealth Playbook medical careers guide, 2026
Local wage data isn't loaded yet, so this is a broad planning range, not a wage figure.
A planning range is broad and has no median: it is for planning, not a promise of pay. Starting, median and experienced wages will show here when BLS wage data is loaded.
For reference only (not this page's pay figure): BLS median, May 2025, national: $80,110 a year (source, opens in a new tab).
6.Jobs near you
Coming soon
We plan to show local openings here once a job-data source is connected. Until then, you can search current listings yourself.
7.Career ladder
Next certifications and roles
- Radiologic Technologist (X-Ray)(this career)
- CT Technologist(ARRT postprimary certification in Computed Tomography; Radiography is an accepted supporting credential.)
- MRI Technologist(ARRT MRI certification via the postprimary pathway (Radiography is an accepted supporting credential) or via a primary-pathway MRI program.)
- Lead Technologist or Imaging Manager(A leadership role. Medical and health services managers typically need a bachelor's degree, per BLS.)
8.Your wealth path
From your first paycheck to owning and investing
Train
Certify
Get hired
Advance
Build wealth
Own / invest
Estimated take-home pay
Low end of the planning range: $60,000 a year
About $47,999 a year ($4,000 a month)
High end of the planning range: $100,000 a year
About $74,486 a year ($6,207 a month)
Estimate only. Assumptions: tax year 2026, single filer, the standard deduction, federal income tax, FICA at 7.65%, and a default state income tax rate of 5.00% (choose a state above to use its rate). No retirement contributions or other deductions. The Paycheck calculator uses the same engine.
9.Find training
Free U.S. Department of Labor resources. We don't list or rank schools.
Registered apprenticeships exist for some of these roles. For licensed careers, check that a program meets your state's licensing rules.
10.Compare careers
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Sources
- Pay: Planning range from the Wealth Playbook medical careers guide, 2026 (a planning range, not wage data).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Radiologic and MRI Technologists (opens in a new tab)
- O*NET OnLine: 29-2034.00 Radiologic Technologists and Technicians (opens in a new tab)
- ARRT: Primary Eligibility Pathway Requirements (opens in a new tab)
- ARRT: Application Fees (opens in a new tab)
- ARRT: Fees (including reapplication) (opens in a new tab)
- ARRT: Supporting Category Requirements (postprimary) (opens in a new tab)
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Medical and Health Services Managers (opens in a new tab)