Radiologic Technologists and Technicians: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)

Radiologic Technologists and Technicians fall under the Healthcare Practitioners and Technical category in the U.S. occupational classification. Radiologic Technologists and Technicians earn a median salary of $80,110 per year, ranking in the top 27% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects +5.0% job growth through 2035, projected to grow at roughly the US average. Entry into this field typically requires an associate degree or accredited postsecondary certificate, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.

What do radiologic technologists and technicians earn?

The median annual wage for radiologic technologists and technicians is $80,110. That puts radiologic technologists and technicians at #220 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. This salary is above the U.S. median for individual workers and reflects a stable, credentialed occupation. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.

Is radiologic technologists and technicians a growing career?

The 10-year outlook for radiologic technologists and technicians is +5.0%, projected to grow at roughly the US average. Employment is projected to move from approximately 234K positions in 2024 to 246K in 2034, a net change of 12K. Average growth signals a healthy, resilient occupation that mirrors broader U.S. employment trends. Job availability tends to track regional economic conditions.

What do radiologic technologists and technicians do every day?

According to O*NET task surveys of working radiologic technologists and technicians, these are the core responsibilities most professionals perform. This is what your teen would actually be doing in this role.

1. 1.Explain procedures and observe patients to ensure safety and comfort during scan.
2. 2.Make exposures necessary for the requested procedures, rejecting and repeating work that does not meet established standards.
3. 3.Prepare contrast material, radiopharmaceuticals, or anesthetic or antispasmodic drugs under the direction of a radiologist.
4. 4.Monitor patients' conditions and reactions, reporting abnormal signs to physician.
5. 5.Transport patients to or from exam rooms.
6. 6.Position patient on examining table and set up and adjust equipment to obtain optimum view of specific body area as requested by physician.
7. 7.Position imaging equipment and adjust controls to set exposure time and distance, according to specification of examination.
8. 8.Complete quality control activities, monitor equipment operation, and report malfunctioning equipment to supervisor.

Top skills for radiologic technologists and technicians

O*NET ranks these as the most important skills for this occupation, on a 1–5 importance scale derived from worker surveys.

What education does my child need to become radiologic technologists and technician?

Entry into radiologic technologists and technicians typically requires an associate degree or accredited postsecondary certificate, often coupled with state licensing exams or clinical hours. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.

Related careers your child might also consider

• Chiropractors
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• Acupuncturists
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• Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians
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• Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars
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Common questions parents ask about radiologic technologists and technicians