Radiology Tech Salary Guide 2026: State-Wise Pay, High-Paying Jobs & Career Growth

A career in radiology technology is one of the few stable and financially rewarding careers in the healthcare field. Technicians or technologists, sometimes referred to as X-ray technicians, are essential contributors in detecting injuries and illnesses. These technologists work directly with patients, run sophisticated imaging equipment and are instrumental in providing physicians with the information they need to make accurate medical diagnoses.

One of the largest reasons people go into this field is the high earning potential. Radiology tech salary can vary due to factors such as experience, education level, certifications and location. With the right skills and training, many technologists make significantly more than the national average and experience long-term career growth.

If you want to know about radiology tech salaries, this article will help you. We used data from the U.S. Bureau of Labour Statistics, ZipRecruiter, PayScale, and other industry sources to give you a clear idea of how much radiology techs earn in the United States.

How Much Does a Radiology Technician Make?

The U.S. Bureau of Labour Statistics (BLS) reported that as of May 2024, the median annual salary for radiologic technologists was $78,980.

1. Bottom 10% earned: $52,360 – $64,910
2. Top 10% highest: $106,990 – $121,420

The vast salary range demonstrates just how much earnings may increase with experience, specialisation, and geography. Radiologic tech salary upward trend remains steady as the need for healthcare grows and imaging technology just gets better.

Radiology Tech Salary by State 

Where you work greatly affects your radiology tech salary. States with higher demand, big cities, and areas with a higher cost of living usually offer higher pay.

Average Annual Radiology Tech Salary by State

State	Annual Salary	Hourly Wage
Washington	$108,615	$52.22
District of Columbia	$108,368	$52.10
New York	$104,917	$50.44
Massachusetts	$104,734	$50.35
Alaska	$103,278	$49.65
Vermont	$101,965	$49.02
Oregon	$101,393	$48.75
Colorado	$100,840	$48.48
California	$94,643	$45.50
Texas	$89,345	$42.95
Florida	$71,665	$34.45
West Virginia	$74,242	$35.69

Source: ZipRecruiter, May 2025

While high-paying states offer better wages, it is also important to compare salaries with the cost of living before making career decisions.

Highest-Paying Cities for Radiology Technologists

Urban areas usually offer higher salaries due to larger healthcare systems and higher demand. According to BLS data, many of the highest-paying metro areas are in California.

Top Paying Metro Areas

Metro Area	Median Annual Salary
Vallejo, CA	$169,020
San Jose, CA	$157,170
San Francisco, CA	$136,730
Sacramento, CA	$130,710
Los Angeles, CA	$102,310
San Diego, CA	$106,720

Large cities offer more job opportunities, advanced facilities, and higher pay to attract skilled professionals.

9 High-Paying Radiology Tech Jobs

Specialisation is one of the quickest methods for growing radiology tech’s salary. Roles in advanced imaging require additional training and certification, but they also lead to higher pay, better job security and opportunities for career advancement. The following are the best-paying radiology tech jobs, along with details about each role.

1. Nuclear Medicine Technologist

Salary Range: $54,000 – $124,000

Nuclear medicine technologists operate equipment that creates images of areas of a patient’s body. They’re like the high-tech cameras they use to look at how organs function, and not what they are made up of. This position requires comprehensive training in radiation safety and patient manipulation necessary for completing imaging studies. It has one of the best radiology tech salary ranges due to the high responsibility and specialised skills required.

2. Interventional Radiology Technologist

Salary Range: $54,000 – $119,000

Interventional radiology technologists help doctors perform minimally invasive procedures, including angioplasty, stent placement and biopsies. They labor in operating-roomlike settings and adhere to rigorous protocols of sterility. Certifications and advanced technical skills may be required. These are critical elements that contribute to earning power in the field.

3. Diagnostic Medical Sonographer

Salary Range: $52,000 – $104,000

Diagnostic medical sonographers operate special imaging equipment to create images or conduct tests. They typically specialise in a field like vascular, cardiac or breast imaging. Advanced specialisations tend to bring higher pay. This job requires a mix of patient interaction and technical skill, which helps to drive salary growth.

4. Cardiovascular Technologist

Salary Range: $46,000 – $103,000

Cardiovascular technologists work under the supervision of doctors as they perform heart and vascular image testing. They commonly work in hospitals and in cardiac catheterization labs. The work requires precision, rapid decision-making and team play. Due to the high impact, this role provides a competitive salary.

5. MRI Technologist

Salary Range: $50,000 – $94,000

MRI technologists use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners to take pictures of the soft tissues, organs, and the nervous system. They provide combatant safety in the presence of strong magnetic fields. Specialised training and attention to detail are an absolute must for this position. These abilities contribute to the overall radiology tech salary growth.

6. PET Technologist

Salary Range: $46,000 – $91,000

PET technologists are positron emission tomography imaging specialists who help diagnose cancer, heart disease and neurological diseases. They collaborate closely with radioactive tracers and imaging software. Extensive experience in radiopharmaceuticals is an essential need for this position. A narrow specialisation can lead to better teamwork and higher pay.

7. Vascular Technologist

Salary Range: $49,000 – $89,000

Vascular technologists specialise in imaging blood vessels to find clots, blockages and circulation problems. They are important for the early detection of vascular disorders. Salary levels are stable, with cardiovascular demand on the rise. Additional experience and certification can lead to higher earnings.

8. CT Technologist

Salary Range: $47,000 – $89,000

CT technologists conduct computed tomography scans in hospitals and diagnostic locations. They tend to work in emergency settings, covering trauma and less urgent cases. Working at a fast pace and working shifts increases the chance of earning. Many tech workers supplement their income with overtime and certifications.

9. Mammography Technologist

Salary Range: $41,000 – $87,000

Mammography technologists are experts in breast imaging used for early cancer detection. They also need good communication skills, as many of the patients will be anxious. Attention to detail and patient care are essential in this position. With further certification, both job prospects and pay can be better.

Radiology Tech Salary by Experience Level

Experience directly impacts earning potential.

Experience Level	Average Hourly Pay
Less than 1 year	$23.02
1–4 years	$23.10
5–9 years	$24.73
10–19 years	$30.54
20+ years	$28.91

Senior technologists often move into supervisory or specialised roles, increasing overall income.

Salary by Work Setting

Different healthcare environments offer different pay scales.

Work Setting	Median Annual Salary
Federal Government	$93,970
Outpatient Care Centers	$81,000
Hospitals	$78,560
Diagnostic Labs	$76,770
Physician Offices	$66,060

Hospitals and speciality centres usually offer better compensation and career growth options.

How to Increase Your Radiology Tech Salary

There are several things you can do to boost earnings:

• Do further certifications such as MRI, CT, or Mammography
• Cross-train in multiple modalities
• Base salary is negotiable based on experience and demand.
• Work overtime or night shifts
• Select per diem or contract positions
• Continue education beyond high school, such as an undergraduate degree

Every chunk adds to employability and long-term earning ability.

Job Outlook and Career Stability

Radiology technology has excellent job security. The BLS predicts the job growth through 2034 will be 4.3%, which is higher than the average for most occupations.

An ageing population, progress in medical imaging technology and greater access to emergency medical care all contribute to demand for highly trained radiology technologists.

Radiology Tech Salary vs Related Healthcare Careers

Career	Median Annual Salary
Radiologic Technologist	$77,660
Radiation Therapist	$101,990
MRI Technologist	$78,980
Cardiovascular Technologist	$67,260
Surgical Technologist	$62,830

Radiology technology offers a strong balance between education cost, salary, and career growth.

Final Thoughts

Radiology tech pay is competitive and increases with specialisation, experience, and location. Whether you decide on general radiography or to specialise in advanced imaging such as MRI, CT or nuclear medicine, this career offers financial security and the knowledge that you help people.

With appropriate education and certifications, radiology techs have the opportunity to create a long-term career that comes along with great earning potential, job security and growth.