Radiology Technologist
State-by-state licensing requirements, salary data, and career ROI
What Is a Radiology Technologist?
Radiology Technologists (also called radiologic technicians or X-ray techs) operate imaging equipment — X-rays, CT scanners, and fluoroscopy machines — to help physicians diagnose injuries and diseases. They work in hospitals, imaging centers, and outpatient clinics. Certification requires completing a 2-year accredited program and passing the ARRT exam.
The Landscape
The national landscape for Radiology Technologists reveals significant regional disparities, with the West Coast and Northeast offering the highest compensation. California, for instance, stands out with a median salary of $107,670, a figure driven not just by higher cost of living but also by its unique requirement for a state-specific examination in addition to the national ARRT certification. Similarly, states like Massachusetts ($99,910) and Hawaii ($99,670) in the Northeast and Pacific regions also command top salaries, reflecting strong demand and competitive markets.
Beyond initial licensing, continuing education requirements also vary, impacting ongoing career maintenance. While 24 CE hours per biennium is standard for many states, some, like Arkansas, require a mere 6 hours, while Florida asks for 12. These differences in both initial and ongoing requirements can significantly affect a technologist's career path and mobility, making certain states less bureaucratic to enter and maintain a license, while others demand more extensive preparation and commitment.
Radiology Technologist by State
Click any state for detailed requirements, salary percentiles, and ROI analysis.
| State | License Required | Median Salary | vs. National | Time to Complete |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Yes | $56,790 | -26.9% | 2 years |
| Alaska | Yes | $85,870 | +10.6% | 2 years |
| Arizona | Yes | $84,480 | +8.8% | 21-24 months |
| Arkansas | Yes | $60,430 | -22.2% | — |
| California | Yes | $107,670 | +38.6% | Approximately 2 years for education, plus 4-6 weeks for application processing and exam results. |
| Colorado | No | $83,740 | +7.8% | 2+ years for education, up to 4 weeks for exam results |
| Connecticut | Yes | $85,370 | +9.9% | 2 years |
| Delaware | Yes | $84,570 | +8.9% | 2 years |
| District of Columbia | No | $99,080 | +27.6% | 2-2.5 years (education and exam) |
| Florida | Yes | $71,190 | -8.3% | 2 years |
| Georgia | No | $67,270 | -13.4% | Typically 2 years for an Associate's Degree program, plus time for ARRT exam and results. |
| Hawaii | Yes | $99,670 | +28.3% | 2 years |
| Idaho | Yes | $78,000 | +0.4% | 2 years |
| Illinois | Yes | $77,890 | +0.3% | 2 years |
| Indiana | Yes | $76,600 | -1.4% | 22-26 months (program length) |
| Iowa | Yes | $64,350 | -17.1% | 2 years (education program) + 2-3 weeks (application processing) |
| Kansas | Yes | $68,740 | -11.5% | 4-8 weeks for application processing, program length varies (typically 2 years) |
| Kentucky | Yes | $64,840 | -16.5% | 2 years |
| Louisiana | Yes | $62,760 | -19.2% | 2 years |
| Maine | Yes | $77,750 | +0.1% | 2 years |
| Maryland | Yes | $79,630 | +2.5% | 3-6 weeks |
| Massachusetts | Yes | $99,910 | +28.7% | 2 years |
| Michigan | Yes | $68,480 | -11.8% | 2 years (for education) + application/exam processing |
| Minnesota | No | $80,960 | +4.2% | Varies (program dependent) |
| Mississippi | Yes | $53,340 | -31.3% | 2 years (program) + time for ARRT exam and state application |
| Missouri | No | $67,120 | -13.6% | Typically 2 years for an Associate's degree program. |
| Montana | Yes | $75,280 | -3.1% | 2 years (program) |
| Nebraska | Yes | $68,520 | -11.8% | 2 years |
| Nevada | Yes | $88,120 | +13.5% | 2 years |
| New Hampshire | Yes | $82,010 | +5.6% | 2 years |
| New Jersey | Yes | $85,520 | +10.1% | 2 years |
| New Mexico | Yes | $74,060 | -4.6% | 2 years |
| New York | Yes | $91,520 | +17.8% | 2 years |
| North Carolina | Yes | $67,150 | -13.5% | 2 years |
| North Dakota | Yes | $63,850 | -17.8% | 4-6 weeks (after all documents received and background check cleared) |
| Ohio | Yes | $75,480 | -2.8% | Varies (typically 2 years for education, 4-6 weeks for application processing) |
| Oklahoma | No | $66,610 | -14.2% | 2 years (for accredited program) |
| Oregon | Yes | $99,530 | +28.2% | 2 years (education) + processing time |
| Pennsylvania | No | $68,010 | -12.4% | 2 years (minimum for ARRT eligibility) |
| Rhode Island | Yes | $84,630 | +9.0% | 2 years |
| South Carolina | Yes | $65,100 | -16.2% | 2 years (program) + 3-4 weeks (application processing) |
| South Dakota | Yes | $66,320 | -14.6% | 2 years |
| Tennessee | Yes | $63,940 | -17.7% | 2 years |
| Texas | Yes | $76,800 | -1.1% | 2 years |
| Utah | Yes | $80,080 | +3.1% | 2 years (education) + application processing |
| Vermont | Yes | $85,450 | +10.0% | 2 years |
| Virginia | Yes | $79,670 | +2.6% | Varies (application processing time is typically 2-3 months) |
| Washington | Yes | $93,920 | +20.9% | 4-6 weeks (after all documents are received) |
| West Virginia | Yes | $66,780 | -14.0% | 2 years |
| Wisconsin | Yes | $76,200 | -1.9% | 2 years |
| Wyoming | Yes | $77,350 | -0.4% | 2 years |
Highest-Paying States for Radiology Technologists
| # | State | Median Salary | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $107,670 | 19,550 |
| 2 | Massachusetts | $99,910 | 5,010 |
| 3 | Hawaii | $99,670 | 720 |
| 4 | Oregon | $99,530 | 2,410 |
| 5 | District of Columbia | $99,080 | 550 |
| 6 | Washington | $93,920 | 4,040 |
| 7 | New York | $91,520 | 14,370 |
| 8 | Nevada | $88,120 | 1,530 |
| 9 | Alaska | $85,870 | 360 |
| 10 | New Jersey | $85,520 | 6,210 |