Rad Tech salary range in the US by state and modality

Whether you are a prospective student looking to the world of radiologic technology to enter the world of healthcare rather quickly, or a seasoned tech making sure you’re getting paid your worth, it’s always good to check the rad tech salary within your state. With this article (and some good research), you will be able to leverage your knowledge to improve your own conditions. Don’t take a job that’s below your worth, and pick a modality based on your own personal valuation of salary, difficulty, and interest!

The profession of Radiologic Technologists offers a promising career path for individuals interested in the intersection of healthcare and state of the art technology. Apart from the rewarding nature of the work itself, it’s essential to consider the financial aspect of pursuing a career as a radiologic technologist, as the work is hard, physically and mentally, and must be compensated appropriately. In this article, we will delve into the salary possibilities for radiologic technologists in the United States, exploring variations in state and modality that influence their earnings.

The Average Salary of Radiologic Technologists in the USA

Radiologic technologist salary can vary based on multiple factors, including experience, geographic location, educational qualifications, specialization, and industry. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data as of May 2021, the median annual wage for radiologic technologists across the United States is approximately $61,980¹, compared to the median annual wage for all workers of $45,760. However, it’s important to note that these figures may have changed since then due to economic conditions and market demand. The “ASRT Radiologic Technologist Wage and Salary Survey 2022” reports a salary averaged over all disciplines of $77,027 (not the median). This result is due to the ASRT sending out a questionnaire in February 2022 to all its members and evaluating the average of the yearly salaries of the 10,775 members who answered. This difference might reveal to us that there are more rad techs doing low specialized jobs such as X-ray, and fewer rad techs employed in higher paying specialized jobs. There is of course no perfect measure of salary, the aim of this article is to empower your decisions about that career, and to know your worth.

Salary Comparison by State

High-Paying States for Radiologic Technologists

Rad Tech salary can vary significantly depending on the geographic location. Metropolitan areas or regions with a higher cost of living tend to offer higher salaries to compensate for the increased expenses. For example, technologists working in major cities such as New York, Los Angeles, or San Francisco can generally expect higher salaries compared to those working in rural areas.

Radiologic technologists can work in diverse settings, including hospitals, clinics, diagnostic imaging centers, research facilities, and outpatient care centers. Compensation may vary depending on the industry setting, with certain sectors offering higher salaries or additional benefits.

All the following statistics are issued from the ASRT Report in 2022³.

Figure 1: Total employment of Rad Techs by state (Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2022)²

California: With a mean annual wage of $114,123, California ranks among the top-paying states for radiologic technologists. The state’s high cost of living and demand for healthcare services contribute to the competitive salaries.
Massachusetts: Radiologic technologists in Massachusetts earn an average annual salary of $92,285. The state’s renowned healthcare institutions and strong job market contribute to the higher compensation.
Alaska: Radiologic technologists in Alaska earn an average annual salary of $83,080. The state’s remote location, limited workforce, and higher demand contribute to the competitive wages.

Low-Paying States for Radiologic Technologists

While some states offer higher salaries, others may have lower average wages for radiologic technologists. Factors such as lower cost of living and fewer job opportunities contribute to the relatively lower salaries in these states:

Nebraska: Radiologic technologists in South Dakota earn an average annual salary of $54,894. The state’s lower cost of living and a relatively smaller healthcare market contribute to the lower compensation.
Arkansas: Arkansas offers an average annual salary of $63,233 for radiologic technologists. Factors such as the state’s rural population and lower cost of living impact the salary levels.

It is important to remember that compensation in these states can account in some part for the difference in cost of living. According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2020 5-year American Community Survey, the median household income in California is $78,672, compared to the median salary in Nebraska of $66,644. The salary obtained in Nebraska will probably lead to a higher purchasing power compared to California, due to high cost of rent, food, and utilities.

Figure 2: Rad Tech salary varying by state (Bureau of Land Statistics, May 2022)²

Salary Comparison by Modality

All Radiologic Technologist jobs are not created equal. Some require more expertise, and intimate knowledge of complicated machinery. While all rad techs begin certified in X-ray, Radiologic technologists can specialize in various modalities, such as computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), mammography, and nuclear medicine. Specializing in a specific field often translates to increased demand and higher earning potential due to the specialized skills and expertise required. All the following statistics are issued from the ASRT Report in 2022⁵. Here’s a brief comparison of average salaries for different modalities:

CT Technologists: CT technologists specialize in performing CT scans, which require advanced knowledge of the equipment and imaging techniques. The average salary for CT technologists in the USA is around $65,152 per year.
MRI Technologists: MRI technologists operate magnetic resonance imaging machines, producing detailed images of the body. The average annual salary for MRI technologists is approximately $77,360.
Mammography Technologists: Mammography technologists specialize in breast imaging, assisting in the early detection of breast cancer. On average, mammography technologists earn around $68,160 per year.
Nuclear Medicine Technologists: Nuclear medicine technologists work with radioactive materials to create diagnostic images. The average annual salary for nuclear medicine technologists is approximately $77,950.

Conclusion

Becoming a radiologic technologist offers a promising career path with the potential for competitive salaries. It is crucial to consider the various factors that influence salary possibilities, such as experience, geographic location, educational qualifications, specialization, and industry setting. Additionally, pursuing advanced certifications, specializing in a specific imaging technique, and seeking career advancement opportunities can further enhance a rad tech salary potential. As the healthcare industry continues to evolve, radiologic technologists can anticipate an optimistic outlook for their profession in terms of both job prospects and financial rewards.

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References

(1) Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Radiologic and MRI Technologists (visited May 10, 2023), at Radiologic and MRI Technologists : Occupational Outlook Handbook
(2) Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2022 (visited [1/6/2023]), on the Internet at [LINK].
(3) Radiologic technologist wage and salary survey – ASRT. American Society of Radiologic Technologists. (2022). [LINK]

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