Radiology Technologist vs Certified Nursing Assistant
The jump from Radiology Technologist to Certified Nursing Assistant is real — but whether the extra training pays back depends on where you are in your career and what the wage curve looks like in your state.
Radiology Technologists earn more — a $80,110 national median vs $42,260 for certified nursing assistants, a $37,850/yr gap.
What the day actually looks like
A Radiology Technologist's day is procedure-driven. They prepare and position patients for imaging exams, operate X-ray or CT equipment under a physician's order, and ensure image quality. Patient interaction is brief and focused on the specific scan. A Certified Nursing Assistant provides direct, hands-on patient care for hours at a time, assisting with activities of daily living like bathing, feeding, and mobility under the supervision of nursing staff.
Where each role is actually hiring
Hospitals are the largest employers for both, but demand differs by setting. CNAs are in high demand in long-term care facilities, nursing homes, and rapidly growing home healthcare services. States with large aging populations like Florida, California, and Texas show consistent CNA shortages. Demand for Radiology Technologists is strong in hospitals and outpatient imaging centers, with particular growth for those skilled in multiple modalities like CT and MRI.
If you start as a Certified Nursing Assistant today
Transitioning from CNA to Radiology Technologist is a common career ladder. The path requires a two-year associate degree from an accredited program. CNA patient care experience provides a significant advantage in the competitive admissions process for these programs. While CNA coursework does not transfer as credit, the hands-on skills in patient positioning and communication are directly applicable and highly valued in radiology programs.
Sources cited (14)
payments Salary
Who earns more?
Radiology Technologists earn $37,850 more per year at the median. That's roughly $3,154/month before taxes — a gap that compounds over a career but needs to be weighed against any difference in training time or upfront costs.
State-by-state pay
| State | Radiology Technologist | Certified Nursing Assistant | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $121,260 | $47,630 | +73,630 |
| Oregon | $102,290 | $49,830 | +52,460 |
| Washington | $102,090 | $49,180 | +52,910 |
| District of Columbia | $102,770 | $47,700 | +55,070 |
| Massachusetts | $103,620 | $46,680 | +56,940 |
| New York | $98,470 | $48,590 | +49,880 |
| Hawaii | $101,700 | $45,350 | +56,350 |
| Alaska | $98,920 | $46,370 | +52,550 |
| New Jersey | $95,000 | $46,830 | +48,170 |
| Vermont | $94,540 | $47,130 | +47,410 |
checklist Requirements at a glance
| Factor | Radiology Technologist | Certified Nursing Assistant |
|---|---|---|
| Typical time | 2 years | 4-8 weeks |
| Est. total cost | — | — |
| Exam | ARRT Radiography Examination | National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP) via Credentia |
| License required | Many states | Most states |
| Education | Completion of an accredited radiologic technology program | 75-hour state-approved training program |
| CE hours / cycle | 23 hrs | 20 hrs |
Barrier to entry
Timeline differs: Radiology Technologist typically takes 2 years, while Certified Nursing Assistant takes 4-8 weeks.
trending_up Job market
Market outlook
Growth projections are similar — Radiology Technologist at +4.3% and Certified Nursing Assistant at +2.3%. Certified Nursing Assistant has significantly more annual openings (204,100 vs 12,900). Practically, that translates to more places you can realistically land a job without relocating to a specific metro.
flag Bottom line
Radiology Technologist wins on pay by $37,850 at the median — about $3,154/month before taxes. Small on a paycheck-to-paycheck basis; large over a career, and worth pressure-testing against the training-time difference.
Radiology Technologist is 2 years of training; Certified Nursing Assistant is 4-8 weeks. The opportunity cost of the extra school time is often larger than people estimate, especially if you're already working.
Frequently asked questions
Which pays better: radiology technologist or certified nursing assistant? expand_more
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Do both radiology technologist and certified nursing assistant require state licenses? expand_more
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source Sources
- Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), most recent annual release.
- Career outlook and annual openings: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
- Licensing requirements: compiled per-state from primary state licensing boards; per-state sources are cited on each Radiology Technologist and Certified Nursing Assistant state page.
See our full methodology for data refresh schedule and known limitations. Updated 2026.