Radiology Technologist in Texas
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for TX. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.
BLS OEWS 2024, Texas.
Jobs (TX)
10-yr job growth
Licensing fees
Time to complete
route How to become a radiology technologist in Texas
To become a licensed Medical Radiologic Technologist (MRT) in Texas, individuals must complete an accredited radiologic technology program and pass the ARRT Radiography Examination. The licensing body is the Texas Medical Board. Applicants must also pass a jurisprudence exam, undergo a criminal history background check, and demonstrate lawful presence in the U.S. The application fee for a General MRT certificate is $130, which includes the jurisprudence exam fee and an Office of Patient Protection fee.
bar_chart Salary percentiles
Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for Texas. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.
checklist Texas requirements
| Licensing body | Texas Medical Board |
| State license | Required |
| Education | Completion of an accredited radiologic technology program |
| Exam | ARRT Radiography Examination ($225) |
| Application fee | $130 |
| Renewal | Every 2.0 years |
| Continuing education | 24.0 hours per cycle |
| Notes | Minimum age is 18. Requires a jurisprudence exam and a criminal history background check (fingerprinting). Must demonstrate lawful presence in the U.S. Military service members, active duty military spouses, and veterans may be eligible for a waiver of application fees, but other surcharges still apply. |
Source: Texas Medical Board
work_outline Job outlook
AI & tech impact
This career has low exposure to AI automation. Most tasks require physical presence, human judgment, or hands-on skills that AI cannot easily replicate.
balance Is it worth it?
- check_circleTexas license required — clearer credential signal to employers
- check_circleLow AI disruption risk
Texas local market depth
Detailed TX wage spread, top-paying-state context, and Texas Medical Board MRT licensure specifics — for radiologic technologists deciding whether to launch in Texas or pursue endorsement elsewhere.
analytics TX wage spread (BLS OEWS)
- 10th percentile$51,040
- 25th percentile$62,130
- Median$76,800
- 75th percentile$87,360
- 90th percentile$100,170
TX state-level annual wages from BLS OEWS. Texas employs about 19,200 radiologic technologists — the second-largest state workforce in the country after California. The 90th-percentile wage of $100k+ typically reflects CT/MRI cross-credentialed techs, lead/supervisory roles, and travel assignments through agencies like Aya, Cross Country, and AMN.
compare_arrows How TX compares to top-paying states
Texas pays well, but several states pay 20–48% more on average. If you hold ARRT certification, endorsement to most of these states is straightforward.
- California$112,120 mean
- Massachusetts$96,180 mean
- Oregon$95,510 mean
- Nevada$94,630 mean
- Washington$93,960 mean
- New York$92,080 mean
- Texas$75,770 mean
Annual mean wages from BLS OEWS. CA, MA, OR, and NV all pay 25–48% above Texas. Cost-of-living differences eat much of the CA premium, but OR, NV, and WA preserve a real wage advantage even after housing.
gavel Texas MRT licensure specifics
- Authority: Texas Medical Board, Medical Radiologic Technologist (MRT) program — formerly administered by Texas DSHS, transferred to TMB under Senate Bill 202.
- License path: Complete an accredited radiologic-technology program (typically 24 months), pass the ARRT Radiography Examination ($225), and submit the TMB MRT application ($90).
- Limited certificates: Texas issues Limited Medical Radiologic Technologist (LMRT) certificates for chest, podiatric, skull, and extremity-only practice — useful for chiropractic and orthopedic clinics; not equivalent to full MRT.
- Renewal: Every 2 years; 24 CE hours required, aligned with ARRT biennial requirements.
- Reciprocity: Endorsement is available for ARRT-certified technologists holding active out-of-state licenses, provided training and CE meet TMB equivalency.
Source: Texas Medical Board — Medical Radiologic Technologist licensing.