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Radiologic Technologists and Technicians

	Median Wage (USD, 2024)	Projected Job Openings (2023-2033)	Projected Growth (2023-2033)
National Statistics	$77,660	13300	5.8%
State Statistics	-	-	-
City Statistics	-	-	-

Statistics

National

State

City

State

City

$77,660

Median Wage (USD, 2023)

13300

Projected Job Openings (2023-2033)

5.8%

Projected Growth (2023-2033)

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.

Experience Requirements Overview

Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

Education, Training and Experience

Required Level of Education: Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)

Related Work Experience: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years

On-Site or In-Plant Training: Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months

On-the-Job Training: Anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month

Detailed Work Activities

Check quality of diagnostic images.
Operate diagnostic imaging equipment.
Adjust settings or positions of medical equipment.
Prepare medical supplies or equipment for use.
Position patients for treatment or examination.
Process x-rays or other medical images.
Verify that medical activities or operations meet standards.
Adjust settings or positions of medical equipment.
Operate diagnostic imaging equipment.
Monitor patient conditions during treatments, procedures, or activities.
Explain medical procedures or test results to patients or family members.
Analyze patient data to determine patient needs or treatment goals.
Enter patient or treatment data into computers.
Collect medical information from patients, family members, or other medical professionals.
Check quality of diagnostic images.
Create advanced digital images of patients using computer imaging systems.
Prepare medical supplies or equipment for use.
Maintain medical facility records.
Move patients to or from treatment areas.
Monitor patient conditions during treatments, procedures, or activities.
Inform medical professionals regarding patient conditions and care.
Assist healthcare practitioners during examinations or treatments.
Operate diagnostic imaging equipment.
Prepare reports summarizing patient diagnostic or care activities.
Record patient medical histories.
Operate diagnostic imaging equipment.
Assist patients with hygiene or daily living activities.
Examine medical instruments or equipment to ensure proper operation.
Maintain medical facility records.
Schedule patient procedures or appointments.
Perform clerical work in medical settings.
Train medical providers.
Prepare medications or medical solutions.
Operate diagnostic imaging equipment.
Supervise patient care personnel.
Collaborate with healthcare professionals to plan or provide treatment.
Manage healthcare operations.
Train medical providers.

Work Values

Achievement

Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.

Working Conditions

Recognition

Relationships

Support

Independence

Tasks

Position imaging equipment and adjust controls to set exposure time and distance, according to specification of examination.
Position patient on examining table and set up and adjust equipment to obtain optimum view of specific body area as requested by physician.
Monitor patients' conditions and reactions, reporting abnormal signs to physician.
Explain procedures and observe patients to ensure safety and comfort during scan.
Use radiation safety measures and protection devices to comply with government regulations and to ensure safety of patients and staff.
Review and evaluate developed x-rays, video tape, or computer-generated information to determine if images are satisfactory for diagnostic purposes.
Determine patients' x-ray needs by reading requests or instructions from physicians.
Prepare contrast material, radiopharmaceuticals, or anesthetic or antispasmodic drugs under the direction of a radiologist.
Process exposed radiographs using film processors or computer generated methods.
Operate mobile x-ray equipment in operating room, emergency room, or at patient's bedside.
Make exposures necessary for the requested procedures, rejecting and repeating work that does not meet established standards.
Operate or oversee operation of radiologic or magnetic imaging equipment to produce images of the body for diagnostic purposes.
Operate digital picture archiving communications systems.
Perform procedures, such as linear tomography, mammography, sonograms, joint and cyst aspirations, routine contrast studies, routine fluoroscopy, or examinations of the head, trunk, or extremities under supervision of physician.
Provide assistance to physicians or other technologists in the performance of more complex procedures.
Record, process, and maintain patient data or treatment records and prepare reports.
Take thorough and accurate patient medical histories.
Key commands and data into computer to document and specify scan sequences, adjust transmitters and receivers, or photograph certain images.
Operate fluoroscope to aid physician to view and guide wire or catheter through blood vessels to area of interest.
Set up examination rooms, ensuring that all necessary equipment is ready.
Transport patients to or from exam rooms.
Assist with on-the-job training of new employees or students or provide input to supervisors regarding training performance.
Maintain a current file of examination protocols.
Perform general administrative tasks, such as answering phones, scheduling patient appointments, or pulling and filing films.
Complete quality control activities, monitor equipment operation, and report malfunctioning equipment to supervisor.
Assign duties to radiologic staff to maintain patient flows and achieve production goals.
Provide assistance in dressing or changing seriously ill or injured patients or patients with disabilities.
Coordinate work with clerical personnel or other technologists and technicians.
Perform supervisory duties, such as developing departmental operating budget, coordinating purchases of supplies or equipment, or preparing work schedules.
Provide students or other technicians and technologists with suggestions of additional views, alternate positioning, or improved techniques to ensure the images produced are of the highest quality.

Work Styles

Achievement/Effort

Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.

Persistence

Initiative

Leadership

Cooperation

Concern for Others

Social Orientation

Self-Control

Stress Tolerance

Adaptability/Flexibility

Dependability

Attention to Detail

Integrity

Independence

Innovation

Analytical Thinking

For more information on this career visit: https://explorehealthcareers.org/careers/technologists-and-technicians/radiologic-technologist/

Data Source: This page includes information from the O*NET 30.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. This page includes Employment Projections program, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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