- Radiology tech pay and jobs at a glance
- The route in, step by step
- The step up most people miss: MRI
- Where you'll work and what it pays
- What the job involves
- How long it takes, start to finish
- Checking your state's rules
- Is it the right fit?
- Other healthcare routes worth comparing
- My verdict
- Frequently asked questions
To become a radiology tech in the US, you usually complete an associate's degree in radiologic technology and then get licensed or certified, which most states require. Even where your state doesn't require it, employers typically want you certified, so plan on passing a certification exam either way.
Many people treat it as a final destination, but it's also the usual first step into MRI work, which pays more. More on that below.
The figures here come from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook page for radiologic and MRI technologists, read on 26 October 2026. This is a careers guide covering training, licensing and pay.
Radiology tech pay and jobs at a glance
| Measure | BLS figure |
|---|---|
| Median pay, radiologic technologists (May 2025) | $80,110 a year |
| Lowest 10 in every 100 earned less than | $55,980 |
| Highest 10 in every 100 earned more than | $118,660 |
| Jobs in 2025, radiologic technologists | About 234,200 |
| Projected growth 2025 to 2035, radiologic and MRI | 5%, faster than average |
| Openings each year, radiologic and MRI | About 15,300 on average |
Those pay figures are as of October 2026, from the May 2025 BLS wage survey.
The route in, step by step
- Take math and science in high school, such as anatomy, biology, chemistry and physics.
- Enrol in an accredited radiologic technology program. An associate's degree is the typical requirement, and programs mix classroom study with clinical work.
- Study the core subjects: anatomy, pathology, patient care, radiation physics and protection, and image evaluation.
- Check your state's rules. Some states require candidates for licensure to complete an accredited program.
- Pass a certification exam from the state or a credentialing organisation, then apply for your licence.
- Get CPR or basic life support certification if employers in your area ask for it.
The step up most people miss: MRI
BLS says MRI technologists may start out as radiologic technologists, and typically need less than 5 years of experience in a related role, most often as a rad tech. Few states require a licence for MRI technologists, although employers usually want them certified.
| Role | Median pay, May 2025 |
|---|---|
| MRI technologists | $95,480 |
| Radiologic and MRI technologists combined | $81,390 |
| Radiologic technologists and technicians | $80,110 |
So the MRI step was worth $95,480 at the median against $80,110 for radiologic technologists, as of October 2026. If you like the work, building toward MRI is the clearest way to grow your pay without going back to school for years.
Where you'll work and what it pays
Hospitals employ about 60 in every 100 radiologic technologists, followed by offices of physicians at 17 in every 100. Where you work changes your pay more than you might expect.
| Industry (radiologic technologists) | Median pay, May 2025 |
|---|---|
| Federal government, excluding postal service | $97,490 |
| Outpatient care centers | $84,720 |
| Hospitals; state, local and private | $80,650 |
| Medical and diagnostic laboratories | $78,400 |
| Offices of physicians | $74,540 |
For MRI technologists the spread is wider still: outpatient care centers paid a median of $140,390 against $95,920 in hospitals, as of October 2026.
What the job involves
- Following instructions exactly to get the images needed for diagnoses.
- Putting patients at ease when they're stressed or in pain.
- Calculating the right amount of radiation for a procedure.
- Standing for long periods and helping lift or turn patients.
- Wearing badges that track radiation exposure, with records kept of your lifetime dose.
Most techs work full time, and because imaging is sometimes needed in emergencies, some work evenings, weekends or overnight.
How long it takes, start to finish
The associate's degree is the typical requirement, and the clinical part of the program is where you get your first hands-on experience with patients and equipment. After you graduate, you sit the certification exam and apply for your licence. Some people also take a graduate certificate or a bachelor's in a related field, which BLS lists as other ways in.
If MRI is your goal, add the time you spend working as a rad tech first. BLS says MRI technologists typically have less than 5 years of experience in a related occupation, so think of it as a few years on the job, not a second degree.
Checking your state's rules
Requirements vary by state, so don't assume what works in one state works in another. BLS says that for specific licensure requirements you should contact the state's health board. Ask three questions: do you need to finish an accredited program, which certification exam does the state accept, and do you need a separate licence for MRI work. Employers may also ask for CPR or basic life support certification, so it's worth getting that out of the way during your program.
Want AI doing the heavy lifting in your marketing?
I build the systems that handle the boring 80 percent, so you get your week back. Done properly, with the human kept in.
Is it the right fit?
BLS lists the qualities that matter: attention to detail, interpersonal skills, math skills, physical stamina and technical skills. If you're happy on your feet for a long shift, you like operating complex machines and you can calm a nervous patient, it's a good match. If you'd rather avoid nights and weekends, ask each employer about shift patterns before you accept, because BLS notes that emergency imaging means some techs work evenings, weekends or overnight.
Other healthcare routes worth comparing
If you're weighing up a few allied health careers, it helps to see which ones offer flexibility later on. Our roundup of remote healthcare jobs in demand shows where clinical experience can lead once you've built it, and work-from-home roles for healthcare workers covers the non-clinical side.
My verdict
Radiology tech is one of the faster routes into a well-paid healthcare job: an associate's degree, a certification exam and a state licence in most places. The smart move is to treat it as a platform, not a ceiling. A few years in, MRI work and outpatient settings are where BLS shows the higher medians, and you can reach them without a new degree.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to become a radiology tech?
The typical requirement is an associate's degree from an accredited program, followed by a certification or licensing exam.
Do radiology techs need a licence?
Most states require radiologic technologists to be licensed or certified. Employers typically require or prefer certification even where the state doesn't.
How much do radiology techs make?
BLS reports a median of $80,110 a year for radiologic technologists in May 2025, as of October 2026.
Can a radiology tech become an MRI tech?
Yes. BLS says MRI technologists may start out as radiologic technologists and typically need less than 5 years of related experience.
Where do radiology techs earn the most?
Among the top industries BLS lists, the federal government had the highest median for radiologic technologists, at $97,490 in May 2025.
Is radiology tech a growing field?
BLS projects 5% growth for radiologic and MRI technologists from 2025 to 2035, with about 15,300 openings a year.
