The radiologic technologist salary USA professionals earn in 2026 sits at a median of $80,110 per year ($38.52 an hour), according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. But that single number hides a huge spread: entry-level techs start in the mid-$50,000s, while the top 10% clear $118,660 — and the gap is driven less by luck than by two things you control, your state and your ARRT credentials.
Radiologic technologist salary USA: the real BLS numbers
Half of all rad techs in the United States earn more than $80,110 and half earn less. The middle 50% typically land between roughly $62,000 and $95,000, with the bottom 10% near $55,980 and the top 10% above $118,660. Because this is a median (not an average), it isn’t skewed by a handful of very high earners — it’s the honest midpoint of the field.
Demand is steady: the BLS projects about 5% job growth through 2034, fuelled by an ageing population needing more diagnostic imaging and ongoing retirements. In plain terms, the radiologic technologist salary USA market rewards techs who are willing to specialise or relocate.
Pay by state: where rad techs earn the most
Location is the single biggest lever on your paycheck. California leads the country at a median of around $122,470 — nearly double what techs earn in the lowest-paying states. Hawaii and Alaska also pay well above the national figure, though high living costs eat into the advantage. The table below breaks down median pay across key states.
| State | Median annual salary (USD) |
|---|---|
| California | $122,470 |
| Hawaii | $92,170 |
| Alaska | $87,180 |
| Massachusetts | ~$88,000 |
| Washington | ~$86,000 |
| New York | ~$85,000 |
| Oregon | ~$83,000 |
| Texas | ~$68,000 |
| Georgia | ~$65,000 |
| Florida | ~$64,000 |
| United States (national median) | $80,110 |
Figures for California, Hawaii, Alaska and the national median are from BLS OEWS data. Values marked with ~ are estimates derived from regional ranges and may vary by metro area and work setting.
The ARRT modality boost: how MRI and CT raise your salary
Here’s what most salary guides skip. A radiologic technologist starts with general X-ray (radiography), but the real pay jumps come from stacking ARRT certifications in additional modalities. An MRI technologist earns a median of roughly $95,480 — about $15,370 more per year than a general rad tech. Over a 20-year career that single credential is worth more than $200,000. CT and mammography certifications carry similar premiums. So if you’re looking at the radiologic technologist salary USA range and wondering how to reach the top of it, the answer is usually a second or third modality, not just more years on the job.
Rad tech vs ultrasound tech: which pays more?
People often compare these two imaging careers because the training timeline is similar. Diagnostic medical sonographers (ultrasound techs) generally edge out general radiologic technologists on median pay, largely because ultrasound is a single specialised skill from day one, while rad techs start broad and specialise later. That said, a multi-modality rad tech with MRI and CT credentials can comfortably overtake an ultrasound tech. If you’re weighing the two, see our full breakdown of the ultrasound technician salary USA guide, or compare directly with the MRI technologist salary USA.
Is a radiologic technologist the same as a radiologist?
No. A radiologist is a medical doctor (MD) who interprets images and earns a physician’s salary. A radiologic technologist is an ARRT-credentialed professional who operates the imaging equipment and performs the scans — a two-year associate degree path, not medical school.
How long does it take to become a rad tech?
Most techs complete a two-year associate degree accredited by JRCERT, then pass the ARRT certification exam. Additional modalities like MRI or CT are earned afterward, on the job, and are what push the radiologic technologist salary USA figure toward six figures.
Do rad techs earn more in hospitals or outpatient centers?
Outpatient imaging centers often post a slightly higher median than hospitals, but hospitals typically offer stronger benefits, shift differentials and tuition reimbursement. The headline pay is close; the total package is where they differ.
Want the wider picture? See our full guide to the average salary in the USA, or compare with the ultrasound technician salary USA. For the official numbers, the BLS publishes detailed wage data at bls.gov.