---
title: "Radiology Technician: How to Become an X-Ray Tech"
description: "How to become a radiology technician: associate programs, the ARRT exam, state licensing, specialties and May 2025 BLS median pay."
url: https://careerdirecting.com/careers/radiology-technician/
updated: 2026-10-09
site: CareerDirecting
---

Healthcare · Radiology tech

# Radiology technician X-ray work, and a door to CT and MRI.

Healthcare career profile

Radiologic technologists take X-rays and other images that doctors use to diagnose injuries and illness. It is a two-year path to solid pay, and many techs add CT, mammography or MRI later.

In short

Radiology technicians usually earn an associate degree in radiography, then pass the ARRT certification exam; most states also require a license. They position patients, run imaging equipment and protect people from unneeded radiation. Radiologic technologists earned a median of $80,110 in May 2025, and BLS projects 5% growth from 2025 to 2035.

**Job numbers from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics** Updated October 9, 2026. Pay figures are national medians and are not a promise of what you will earn.

| Median pay | $80,110 a year, about $38.51 an hour (May 2025) |
|---|---|
| Typical way in | Associate degree |
| Jobs in the U.S. | About 234,200 (2025) |
| Outlook, 2025 to 2035 | Projected growth of 5% |
| Openings each year | About 13,000 on average, including replacements |
| Certifying body | [American Registry of Radiologic Technologists](https://www.arrt.org/) |
| Where they work | Hospitals, imaging centers, urgent care, physician offices |

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025 to 2035 and May 2025 wages, [BLS](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables/occupational-projections-and-characteristics.htm). National figures; pay where you live can be higher or lower, and starting pay is lower than the median.

## What you do

You talk patients through the scan, position them precisely, set exposure and check image quality. In an emergency department, that might mean a trauma patient who cannot move. Radiation safety is part of every exam.

## Moving up

After a few years, many radiology techs train in CT, MRI, mammography or interventional radiology, which often pays more. The ARRT offers post-primary credentials for those specialties.

## Questions people ask

### How long is radiology tech school?

Most programs are about two years for an associate degree.

### Is radiation exposure dangerous for techs?

Safety rules and equipment keep exposure low, and techs wear monitoring badges.

### Can I specialize later?

Yes. CT and MRI are common next steps.

## Sources

- [BLS Employment Projections 2025 to 2035, Table 1.2 (occupational projections and worker characteristics)](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables/occupational-projections-and-characteristics.htm)
- [BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Radiologic technologists and technicians](https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/radiologic-technologists.htm)
- [American Registry of Radiologic Technologists](https://www.arrt.org/)

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