Radiology Technologist in District of Columbia

Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for DC. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.

Median annual salary

$99,080

trending_up +27.6% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, District of Columbia.

engineering

550

Jobs (DC)

monitoring Strong

+4.3%

10-yr job growth

payments

$225

Licensing fees

schedule

2-2.5 years (education and exam)

Time to complete

route How to become a radiology technologist in District of Columbia

To become a Radiology Technologist in the District of Columbia, individuals must complete an associate's degree or higher from an ARRT-approved educational program. The primary credentialing body is the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT), and candidates must pass the ARRT Radiography Examination. While DC does not issue its own license for Radiology Technologists, ARRT certification is generally required by employers and is renewed every two years with 24 continuing education hours. A criminal background check is part of the ARRT ethics review.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $70,680

25th percentile $79,940

50th (median) $99,080

75th percentile $104,040

90th (experienced) $120,960

Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for District of Columbia. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.

checklist District of Columbia requirements

Licensing body	District of Columbia Department of Health (DC Health), Board of Medicine (regulates Medical Radiation Technology)
State license	Not required
Education	Associate's degree or higher from an ARRT-approved educational program in the same discipline as the certification
Exam	ARRT Radiography Examination ($225)
Renewal	Every 2.0 years
Continuing education	24.0 hours per cycle
Notes	The District of Columbia does not directly license Radiology Technologists; instead, it relies on national certification by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). Employers typically require ARRT certification. A criminal background check is part of the ARRT ethics review. DC Health has an online application portal for various health professional licenses, and while it mentions 'Medical Radiation Technology,' the primary credentialing is through ARRT. Renewal deadlines are tied to the licensee's birth month and year (odd/even).

Source: District of Columbia Department of Health (DC Health), Board of Medicine (regulates Medical Radiation Technology)

work_outline Job outlook

10-year growth

+4.3%

Faster than average

Annual openings

12,900

Nationwide per year

Total employment

228,000

Nationwide

neurology

AI & tech impact

verified Low exposure -0.56/1.00

This career has low exposure to AI automation. Most tasks require physical presence, human judgment, or hands-on skills that AI cannot easily replicate.

hub

balance Is it worth it?

infoNo state license required — lower barrier but weaker signal
check_circleLow AI disruption risk

psychology

Wondering if a radiology technologist career is the right fit?

See what the day actually looks like, who the role suits, and who should skip it — grounded in real practitioner sources.

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Frequently asked questions

What's required to work as a radiology technologist in District of Columbia? expand_more

The path to radiology technologist licensure in District of Columbia: complete the required education (Associate's degree or higher from an ARRT-approved educational program in the same discipline as the certification), and pass the ARRT Radiography Examination.

Is a state license required for radiology technologists in District of Columbia? expand_more

District of Columbia does not require a state license for radiology technologists. Note: The District of Columbia does not directly license Radiology Technologists; instead, it relies on national certification by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). Employers typically require ARRT certification. A criminal background check is part of the ARRT ethics review. DC Health has an online application portal for various health professional licenses, and while it mentions 'Medical Radiation Technology,' the primary credentialing is through ARRT. Renewal deadlines are tied to the licensee's birth month and year (odd/even).

What is the average radiology technologist salary in District of Columbia? expand_more

The median radiology technologist salary in District of Columbia is $99,080 per year. That's 28% above the national median of $77,660. The range spans from $70,680 at the entry level to $120,960 for top earners.

How much does it cost to become a radiology technologist in District of Columbia? expand_more

Plan on spending varies total — that covers exam fee ($225) plus your education and training.

How long does it take to become a radiology technologist in District of Columbia? expand_more

The typical timeline in District of Columbia is 2-2.5 years (education and exam). This includes completing education, gaining any required experience, and passing the licensing exam.

Does District of Columbia require continuing education for radiology technologists? expand_more

License renewal in District of Columbia requires completing 24.0 hours of continuing education on a 2.0-year cycle.