Radiology Technologist Salary: What You Can Earn Across The US In 2024
Are you curious about a radiology technologist salary? This is a very common question for anyone thinking about a career in healthcare, or for those already working in the field who want to see how their pay compares. It’s a good idea, you know, to understand what to expect when you choose a job that helps people every day. We’re going to talk about the money side of things for these important healthcare workers.
So, a radiologic technologist plays a big part in patient care. They operate imaging equipment to help doctors see inside the body. This job is quite important for figuring out what might be going on with someone's health. We have some fresh information to share about how much these professionals can make, based on recent data, like the ASRT radiologic technologist wage and salary survey from 2024.
This article will look at the typical pay for a radiology technologist. We will also explore, in a way, what makes that pay go up or down. You can learn about how different places in the country offer different amounts of money for this work. We’ll also touch on what the future might hold for these jobs, which is, you know, always good to know.
Table of Contents
- Overall Pay for Radiology Techs
- What Affects Your Pay
- Pay Across the United States
- Your Future in This Job
- Common Questions About Radiology Tech Pay
Overall Pay for Radiology Techs
Let's talk about the general pay for a radiology technologist. It's a bit of a big picture, but it helps to get started. The average salary across the whole United States for a radiologic technologist is about $87,302 each year. This works out to about $42 for every hour worked. That figure, by the way, seems to be pretty much in line with what people generally expect for this kind of work across the country.
However, you know, it’s worth noting that this number can change quite a bit. Some people who do really well in this job have reported earning quite a bit more. The very top earners, like those in the 90th percentile, have said they make up to $127,047 a year. So, there is, you know, some real room to grow your earnings in this field.
It's also interesting to look at other data points. The Bureau of Labor Statistics, for example, reported in May 2020 that the average salary nationwide for radiologic technologists was $63,710. This would be, you know, around $30.63 for each hour. There are, as a matter of fact, wide differences in pay from one state to another. This means where you live can really change how much money you bring home.
What Affects Your Pay
Many things can make a radiology technologist salary go up or down. It’s not just one simple number for everyone. We can learn how different things, you know, play a part in how much a radiologic technologist gets paid. These factors are pretty important to think about if you're planning your career or just curious about what affects pay.
Education and Experience
One of the biggest things that changes how much a radiology technologist earns is their education. What kind of schooling they have, and how much of it, can really matter. It’s also about how long they have been doing the job. You know, someone just starting out might not make as much as someone who has been working for many years.
Radiology technicians, for example, tend to earn a higher hourly wage as they get more experience. This is a common thing in many jobs, but it’s quite clear here. According to Payscale.com, which is, you know, a source for salary data, the pay goes up with more time on the job. So, sticking with it and gaining skills really pays off.
For instance, a radiologic technologist I, which usually means someone with less experience or a certain level of training, might start at a lower rate. In Los Angeles, CA, the average annual salary for a radiologic technologist I is about $61,986. This is, you know, around $30 per hour. The pay for this level can range from $50,296 to $66,303 annually, or $24 to $32 hourly.
Compare that, just a little, to someone with more time in the field. The numbers show that, you know, more years doing the work means more money. This is a pretty good incentive to keep learning and working hard in this profession.
Where You Work and What You Do
The place where you work also has a big effect on your radiology technologist salary. This includes the type of building you work in, like a big hospital or a smaller clinic. Also, what specific area of radiology you focus on can change your pay. Some specialties might pay more than others, you know, because they require extra training or have a higher demand.
For example, someone working in a very busy city hospital might make more than someone in a smaller, rural clinic. This is, you know, often due to the cost of living in those areas, but also the demand for skilled workers. The specific tasks you do, whether it's X-rays, MRIs, or CT scans, could also lead to different pay rates.
So, understanding these differences is quite important. It helps you see where you could earn the most, and what kind of work environment might suit you best. It's not just about the money, of course, but it’s a big part of choosing a career path.
Pay Across the United States
The money a radiology technologist makes can really change depending on where they live in the United States. We have looked at, you know, how average salaries and job chances for radiologic techs differ across states and even different practice areas. This is pretty interesting, as a matter of fact, because some states pay quite a bit more than others.
We’ve found 15 states where the typical salary for a rad tech job is above the national average. This is, you know, good news if you are thinking about moving for work. Knowing which states pay more can really help with your career plans.
States That Pay More
Some states really stand out for higher radiology technologist salary. Topping the list is Washington. This state, you know, offers quite a bit more pay. The District of Columbia is close behind in second place, and New York comes in third. These places seem to be, you know, very good spots for earning more as a radiologic technologist.
New York, for example, beats the national average pay by about 9.4%. That's a pretty good jump. Washington, in fact, takes this trend even further. A radiologic technologist there might earn another $12,716 above the national average of $95,899. This means Washington pays about 13.3% more than that national average. That's a significant difference, you know, for your wallet.
Let's look at some other states with good pay. Massachusetts, for example, shows an average annual salary of about $67,101 for a radiology tech. This works out to around $35 per hour. The pay in Massachusetts can range from $55,638 to $84,868 annually, or $29 to $44 per hour. This is, you know, a pretty solid range.
Connecticut also offers a decent wage. The average annual salary for a radiologic technologist I there is about $59,803. This is, you know, around $29 per hour. The range for this level of tech in Connecticut is from $47,216 to $62,543 annually, or $23 to $30 per hour. So, these states are, you know, definitely worth considering.
Cities and Their Pay Rates
Even within states, the pay can change a lot from one city to another. This is, you know, often tied to the cost of living in that city. A big city usually means higher pay, but also higher expenses.
In Los Angeles, CA, for example, the average salary for a radiologic technologist is about $82,368 per year. This is a pretty good number, you know, for a major city. Compare this to the average annual salary of a radiologic technologist in California overall, which is about $69,396, or $37 per hour. The range for California is from $57,133 to $87,824 annually, or $30 to $47 per hour. So, Los Angeles is, you know, doing better than the state average.
New York City also shows higher pay. In New York, NY, the average annual salary for a radiology tech is about $71,501. This is, you know, around $40 per hour. The pay can range from $59,274 to $90,223 annually, or $33 to $50 per hour in New York City. This is, you know, quite a bit higher than the national average.
Now, let's look at some Texas cities. In Dallas, TX, the average annual salary for a radiologic technologist is about $62,129. This is, you know, around $29 per hour. The pay range there is from $51,150 to $78,628 annually, or $24 to $37 per hour.
San Antonio, TX, has slightly different numbers. The average annual salary of a radiologic technologist I in San Antonio, TX, is about $52,109. This is, you know, around $25 per hour. The range for this level is from $41,141 to $54,496 annually, or $20 to $26 per hour. For a general radiology tech in San Antonio, TX, the average is about $57,401 annually, or $26 per hour, ranging from $47,658 to $72,685 annually, or $21 to $33 per hour.
Texas overall has an average annual salary for a radiologic technologist I of about $54,582, or $26 per hour, with a range of $43,094 to $57,083 annually, or $20 to $27 per hour. For a general radiology tech in Texas, the average is about $60,201 annually, or $29 per hour, ranging from $49,885 to $76,058 annually, or $24 to $37 per hour. This shows, you know, how much variety there can be even within one state.
Florida also has its own numbers. The average annual salary of a radiology tech in Florida is about $58,401, or $28 per hour. The pay can range from $48,276 to $73,685 annually, or $23 to $35 per hour. So, you know, it’s clear that location makes a big difference in pay.
Your Future in This Job
Thinking about the future for radiology technologist jobs is pretty smart. We can learn about the job outlook for radiologic techs. This helps people see if this career path has good chances for work in the coming years. It’s always good to know if there will be jobs available and if the field is growing.
The demand for healthcare services, you know, generally keeps going up. This often means a steady need for people who can operate medical imaging equipment. As medical technology gets better, and as more people need medical care, the role of a radiology technologist stays important. So, in some respects, the future looks pretty stable for this kind of work.
If you are thinking about becoming a radiology technologist, you know, it’s a good idea to look into the specific job outlook in your area. Different regions might have different needs for these professionals. But overall, it seems like a field with a good chance for continued employment. You can learn more about healthcare careers on our site.
Common Questions About Radiology Tech Pay
People often have questions about radiology technologist salary. Here are some common ones, you know, that might come up.
How much does a radiologic technologist make?
The average annual salary for a radiologic technologist across the United States is about $87,302. This is, you know, around $42 per hour. However, this number can change a lot based on things like where you live, how much experience you have, and the kind of place you work. Top earners can make over $127,000 a year, which is, you know, a pretty big sum.
What states pay radiology techs the most?
Washington is currently at the top for paying radiology technologists the most. The District of Columbia and New York are also very high on the list. These states and areas, you know, typically offer salaries that are well above the national average for this job. For example, New York beats the national average by almost 10%, and Washington pays even more than that.
Does experience affect a radiology tech's salary?
Yes, experience definitely affects a radiology technologist's salary. Radiology technicians, you know, have the ability to earn a higher hourly wage with more years on the job. Someone who has been working for a longer time and has gained more skills will generally make more money than someone who is just starting out. This is, you know, a clear trend in the pay data. For more details on career paths, you can check out this page.
For more insights into the profession, you might find information from organizations like the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT) very helpful. They do, you know, these kinds of surveys that give a lot of good data.
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