Radiology Technologist
License requirements, cost and salary by state
Radiology Technologists (also called radiologic technicians or X-ray techs) operate imaging equipment — X-rays, CT scanners, and fluoroscopy machines — to help physicians diagnose injuries and diseases. They work in hospitals, imaging centers, and outpatient clinics. Certification requires completing a 2-year accredited program and passing the ARRT exam.
Time to certify
Required exam
Exam cost
Education
Renewal
Annual openings
What it's actually like
A day-to-day reality check, grounded in current practitioner sources — not just the salary math.
Hours / week
Shifts: 8, 10, or 12 hours.
Weekends
Where you work: hospitals, physicians' offices, outpatient care centers.
Physical demand
HighThe role requires standing for long periods, lifting or turning disabled patients, and moving heavy imaging equipment.
Stress level
HighStressors include dealing with patients who are in pain or anxious, urgent imaging requests, and the potential for a high-volume workload.
A typical shift
- Review the daily schedule of imaging procedures and prioritize patients based on urgency.
- Power on, calibrate, and perform quality checks on imaging equipment like X-ray, CT, or MRI machines.
- Prepare patients for procedures by explaining the process, taking a medical history, and answering questions.
- Position patients correctly and precisely on imaging tables to capture clear, diagnostic images of the specified body area.
- Operate imaging equipment, adjusting controls for exposure time and distance according to examination specifications.
- Review images for quality and clarity, determining if additional views are needed before submitting them to a radiologist.
- Maintain detailed patient records, documenting procedures and uploading images to the electronic health record system.
check_circle Best fit if
- —You are detail-oriented and can precisely follow complex technical instructions to capture high-quality diagnostic images.
- —You have the physical stamina to be on your feet for most of your shift and can lift or reposition patients who have limited mobility.
- —You can remain calm and compassionate when interacting with patients who are anxious, in pain, or seriously ill.
- —You are interested in a hands-on career that combines patient interaction with operating sophisticated medical technology.
cancel Skip if
- —You are unable to stand for long periods or perform physically demanding tasks, including lifting and moving patients.
- —You require a predictable, low-stress work environment with regular 9-to-5 hours and no weekend or on-call duties.
- —You are uncomfortable working in close proximity to patients with infectious diseases or dealing with traumatic injuries.
- —You are not committed to continuous learning, as the technology and procedures in medical imaging are constantly evolving.
Sources cited (19)
The Landscape
The national landscape for Radiology Technologists reveals significant regional disparities, with the West Coast and Northeast offering the highest compensation. California, for instance, stands out with a median salary of $121,260, a figure driven not just by higher cost of living but also by its unique requirement for a state-specific examination in addition to the national ARRT certification. Similarly, states like Massachusetts ($103,620) and Hawaii ($101,700) in the Northeast and Pacific regions also command top salaries, reflecting strong demand and competitive markets.
Beyond initial licensing, continuing education requirements also vary, impacting ongoing career maintenance. While 24 CE hours per biennium is standard for many states, some, like Arkansas, require a mere 6 hours, while Florida asks for 12. These differences in both initial and ongoing requirements can significantly affect a technologist's career path and mobility, making certain states less bureaucratic to enter and maintain a license, while others demand more extensive preparation and commitment. A closely-related path worth comparing is the Surgical Technologist certification. For a direct earnings-vs-training-time comparison, see Radiology Technologist vs. Surgical Technologist. You can also compare Radiology Technologist vs. Respiratory Therapist on the same dimensions.
Radiology Technologist by State
Licensing cost, reciprocity, and median pay across all 50 states.
| State | License | Licensing cost | Reciprocity | Median | vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Yes | $450 | — | $60,700 | -24.2% |
| Alaska | Yes | $225 | Endorsement | $98,920 | +23.5% |
| Arizona | Yes | $325 | Endorsement | $89,200 | +11.3% |
| Arkansas | Yes | $45 | Endorsement | $63,640 | -20.6% |
| California | Yes | $337 | Re-exam | $121,260 | +51.4% |
| Colorado | No | $225 | No license | $87,760 | +9.5% |
| Connecticut | Yes | $425 | — | $91,970 | +14.8% |
| Delaware | Yes | $275 | None | $84,210 | +5.1% |
| District of Columbia | No | $225 | No license | $102,770 | +28.3% |
| Florida | Yes | $225 | Endorsement | $76,750 | -4.2% |
| Georgia | No | $225 | No license | $74,550 | -6.9% |
| Hawaii | Yes | $285 | Endorsement | $101,700 | +27.0% |
| Idaho | Yes | $450 | — | $80,080 | -0.0% |
| Illinois | Yes | $325 | — | $79,930 | -0.2% |
| Indiana | Yes | $285 | — | $77,640 | -3.1% |
| Iowa | Yes | $325 | — | $65,930 | -17.7% |
| Kansas | Yes | $285 | Endorsement | $76,070 | -5.0% |
| Kentucky | Yes | $325 | Endorsement | $69,670 | -13.0% |
| Louisiana | Yes | $375 | Endorsement | $63,680 | -20.5% |
| Maine | Yes | $325 | Recognized | $80,080 | -0.0% |
| Maryland | Yes | $375 | Endorsement | $85,890 | +7.2% |
| Massachusetts | Yes | $375 | — | $103,620 | +29.3% |
| Michigan | Yes | $225 | — | $76,420 | -4.6% |
| Minnesota | No | $175 | No license | $83,400 | +4.1% |
| Mississippi | Yes | $275 | Recognized | $59,300 | -26.0% |
| Missouri | No | $225 | No license | $73,080 | -8.8% |
| Montana | Yes | $200 | — | $77,070 | -3.8% |
| Nebraska | Yes | $371 | Recognized | $72,860 | -9.1% |
| Nevada | Yes | $425 | Endorsement | $82,910 | +3.5% |
| New Hampshire | Yes | $380 | Endorsement | $84,910 | +6.0% |
| New Jersey | Yes | $285 | Endorsement | $95,000 | +18.6% |
| New Mexico | Yes | $235 | Endorsement | $79,940 | -0.2% |
| New York | Yes | $345 | None | $98,470 | +22.9% |
| North Carolina | Yes | $325 | Endorsement | $74,450 | -7.1% |
| North Dakota | Yes | $250 | — | $67,790 | -15.4% |
| Ohio | Yes | $290 | Endorsement | $78,320 | -2.2% |
| Oklahoma | No | $225 | No license | $74,160 | -7.4% |
| Oregon | Yes | $441 | Endorsement | $102,290 | +27.7% |
| Pennsylvania | No | $225 | No license | $76,050 | -5.1% |
| Rhode Island | Yes | $288 | Endorsement | $85,330 | +6.5% |
| South Carolina | Yes | $225 | Recognized | $69,600 | -13.1% |
| South Dakota | Yes | $450 | Recognized | $65,240 | -18.6% |
| Tennessee | Yes | $285 | — | $64,630 | -19.3% |
| Texas | Yes | $355 | — | $78,630 | -1.8% |
| Utah | Yes | $270 | Endorsement | $81,000 | +1.1% |
| Vermont | Yes | $340 | None | $94,540 | +18.0% |
| Virginia | Yes | $130 | Re-exam | $80,670 | +0.7% |
| Washington | Yes | $375 | — | $102,090 | +27.4% |
| West Virginia | Yes | $317 | Re-exam | $74,150 | -7.4% |
| Wisconsin | Yes | $290 | Endorsement | $79,140 | -1.2% |
| Wyoming | Yes | $385 | Recognized | $77,860 | -2.8% |
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