How much does a x-ray technician make?
a year · about $39 an hour
A typical x-ray technician in the United States makes $80,110 a year, about $39 an hour, about 1.6× a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
They greet patients, explain the exam, position them carefully, and use X-ray or CT equipment to capture clear images. They check image quality, work with doctors, and record each exam.
Did you know? Sometimes the X-ray machine goes to the patient: techs can take images in an emergency room, operating room, or right at a bedside.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $55,980 and $118,660How do you become one?
In the United States, complete an accredited radiography program—usually an associate degree with classroom learning and clinical practice. Then meet ARRT’s education, ethics, and exam requirements and get any state license required where you work.
School needed: Vocational school or a few years' experience
Good for people who like building and doing and keeping things organized
Why does pay differ?
In the United States, experience, extra credentials, and specialties such as CT or MRI can affect pay, as can the employer and location. Some hospitals offer extra pay for night or weekend shifts.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in California ($121,260), lowest in Mississippi ($59,300).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
In Japan, a x-ray technician averages $37,099. X-ray technician salary in Japan
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $55,980 | $80,110 | $118,660 | about 230,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| California | $121,260 | about 21,000 |
| Massachusetts | $103,620 | about 6,000 |
| District of Columbia | $102,770 | about 660 |
| Oregon | $102,290 | about 3,000 |
| Washington | $102,090 | about 4,000 |
Official definition: 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. Excludes “Diagnostic Medical Sonographers” (29-2032) and “Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists” (29-2035).
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/radiologic-technologists.htm
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- www.arrt.org/pages/earn-arrt-credentials/initial-requirements/primary-requiremen
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/29-2034.00
- www.asrt.org/main/news-publications/research/wage-and-salary-surveys
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY