Occupation · SOC 29-2034
Radiologic Technologists and Technicians
Take x-rays and CAT scans or administer nonradioactive materials into patient's bloodstream for diagnostic or research purposes. Includes radiologic technologists and technicians who specialize in other scanning modalities.
Median wage
$77,660
$52,360–$106,990
Projected growth
+4.3%
Average growth
Annual openings
980
per year
Employed (US)
223,460
Job Zone 3
Typical preparation
Medium preparation
Stackable credential programs
300 mapped
Core skills
Active ListeningSocial PerceptivenessSpeakingService OrientationReading ComprehensionMonitoringOperation and ControlCritical Thinking
Knowledge areas
Medicine and DentistryCustomer and Personal ServiceEnglish LanguageComputers and ElectronicsAdministrative
Technology & tools
Categorization or classification softwareMedical softwareInformation retrieval or search softwareSpreadsheet softwareOffice suite software
Representative tasks
Position imaging equipment and adjust controls to set exposure time and distance, according to speciPosition patient on examining table and set up and adjust equipment to obtain optimum view of specifMonitor patients' conditions and reactions, reporting abnormal signs to physician.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Imaging equipment controls and exposure settings — adjust under direct supervision according to physician specifications in a clinical radiology department.Patient positioning on the examining table — perform with guidance from a senior technologist to obtain the requested body area view in a hospital imaging unit.Radiation safety devices and shielding equipment — apply under supervision following government regulations to protect patients and staff during routine procedures.Physician imaging requests and written orders — read and interpret with assistance to determine basic x-ray requirements in an outpatient radiology setting.Patient explanations of imaging procedures — deliver scripted verbal instructions to help patients feel safe and comfortable before a standard scan.Developed x-ray images and digital output — review under technologist oversight to identify obvious quality issues prior to radiologist evaluation.Patient conditions and vital signs — observe and document during imaging procedures, escalating abnormal signs to a supervising physician or technologist.Contrast material preparation steps — follow step-by-step protocols under radiologist direction when assisting with contrast-enhanced imaging studies.Medical imaging software and electronic records systems — navigate entry-level functions to retrieve patient orders and log completed examinations.Radiation exposure time and source-to-image distance — calculate using reference tables and verify with a senior technologist before activating equipment.
developing
Imaging equipment positioning and control adjustments — perform routinely and independently for standard projections across multiple body regions in a busy outpatient clinic.Patient setup for varied examination types — execute with minimal oversight, modifying positioning techniques for patients with limited mobility in an inpatient hospital unit.Radiation protection protocols and compliance documentation — implement consistently and verify adherence for each procedure according to regulatory standards in a licensed facility.Physician orders and clinical requisitions — interpret independently across a range of modality types to prioritize and schedule daily imaging workloads.Patient monitoring during scans — recognize and respond to early signs of distress or adverse contrast reactions, notifying the radiologist promptly in a clinical setting.Digital x-ray and fluoroscopic image quality — evaluate completed studies against diagnostic criteria and repeat suboptimal images with corrected technique before submission.Contrast agent and radiopharmaceutical preparation — prepare accurately under radiologist direction, following aseptic technique and dosing protocols in a procedure room.Time management across concurrent imaging requests — coordinate patient throughput and equipment scheduling to meet department productivity targets in a multi-room suite.Categorization and medical imaging software — use proficiently to archive, retrieve, and route studies through PACS and RIS systems within established workflow timelines.Patient communication for sensitive or anxious individuals — apply social perceptiveness and empathy to tailor explanations and reduce procedure-related anxiety in diverse patient populations.
proficient
Complex and non-routine imaging examinations — perform autonomously across the full scope of radiologic procedures, adapting technique for trauma, pediatric, and bariatric patients in a Level I trauma center.Equipment exposure parameters and technical factors — optimize independently for atypical clinical presentations, balancing diagnostic image quality against radiation dose in a specialty imaging department.Comprehensive radiation safety programs — apply and audit protective measures for staff and patients across multiple procedure rooms, ensuring continuous regulatory compliance in a hospital radiology suite.Image quality analysis and diagnostic suitability assessment — critically evaluate x-ray, fluoroscopic, and digital studies, making independent determinations on acceptability before radiologist interpretation.Patient condition changes and adverse events — assess, triage, and coordinate emergency responses during imaging procedures, communicating critical findings clearly to the care team.Advanced contrast and pharmacological agent protocols — prepare and administer under radiologist supervision using clinical judgment to adjust for patient allergies or contraindications in an interventional suite.Multidisciplinary coordination with physicians and nursing staff — facilitate seamless patient handoffs and imaging consultations using precise oral and written communication in an integrated healthcare environment.Quality control analysis of imaging systems — conduct routine equipment performance tests, identify calibration drift, and initiate corrective action to maintain diagnostic accuracy across departmental equipment.Inductive reasoning applied to ambiguous clinical requests — resolve incomplete or conflicting physician orders by independently determining the most clinically appropriate imaging approach in time-sensitive situations.Continuing education and evidence-based technique updates — integrate new imaging protocols and safety guidelines into daily practice, applying critical thinking to improve patient outcomes in a teaching hospital.
advanced
Departmental imaging protocols and competency standards — develop and implement organization-wide procedural guidelines that align with accreditation requirements across a multi-site radiology network.Radiation safety culture and compliance strategy — lead policy formulation and staff training programs to establish a facility-wide culture of dose optimization and regulatory adherence.Radiologic technologist teams — mentor, evaluate, and guide professional development of emerging and developing staff across imaging modalities in a large acute-care institution.Quality assurance and performance improvement initiatives — design and direct ongoing QA programs, analyzing outcome data to reduce repeat imaging rates and improve diagnostic throughput systemwide.Capital equipment procurement and technology integration — assess, recommend, and oversee deployment of new imaging systems and PACS upgrades aligned with clinical and operational priorities.Interdepartmental and physician partnerships — represent the radiology department in hospital-wide committees, translating imaging capabilities into strategic clinical service decisions at the executive level.Accreditation and regulatory inspection readiness — lead preparation and coordination for Joint Commission, ACR, or state health department reviews, ensuring sustained compliance across the imaging enterprise.Educational curriculum for radiologic technology programs — design and deliver didactic and clinical training in partnership with academic institutions to develop the next generation of qualified practitioners.Patient safety incident analysis and risk mitigation — chair root-cause analyses following adverse imaging events, implementing systemic corrective actions to prevent recurrence across the organization.Strategic planning for imaging service expansion — evaluate community needs, financial models, and staffing requirements to guide senior leadership decisions on new modality offerings or facility growth.
Also known as
61 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Computed Tomography Radiologic Technologist (CT RT)Registered Radiologic Technologist (RT (R))Multi-Modality TechnologistImaging Technologist (Imaging Tech)Electroneurodiagnostic Technician (ENDT)CT Scan Special Procedures Technologist (Computed Tomography Scan Special Procedures Technologist)Medical Imaging TechnicianDiagnostic Radiologic Technologist (DRT)Interventional Radiology Tech (Interventional Radiology Technician)Travel Technician (Travel Tech)Radiology AssistantInterventional TechnicianRadiographer TechnologistEEG Tech (Electroencephalogram Technician)CT Tech (Computer Tomography Technician)Special Procedures TechnicianUltrasound Technologist (Ultrasound Tech)Special Procedures Technologist, AngiogramTravel Interventional Radiology TechnologistX-Ray Technologist (X-Ray Tech)Special Procedures Technologist, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)Radiography TechnicianTravel Mammographer Tech (Travel Mammographer Technician)Computed Tomography Technician (CT Technician)3D TechnologistSkiagrapherSpecial Procedures Technologist, Ct ScanRadiology CT Technologist (Radiology Computed Tomography Technologist)X Ray OperatorRadiology Technologist (RT)Mammography Technologist (Mammography Tech)Radiology AideTravel X-Ray Tech (Travel X-Ray Technician)Mammography TechnicianCAT Technologist (Computed Axial Tomography Technologist)Radiological TechnologistMammographerX-Ray Technician (X-Ray Tech)Radiological TechnicianInterventional Radiologic Technologist