How to become an X-ray technician: salary, education, schools, job description (2023)

What is an X-Ray Technician?

If you work as an X-ray technician, you should expect to meet many different types of people.

They will also take pictures of the inside of your body, including bones, organs and tissues.

It is important to have knowledge of anatomy, physiology and medical terminology.

There are many different types of X-ray technicians, including ultrasound, MRI, and mammography.

X-ray technicians not only work in hospitals, but they also hold positions in doctors' offices, laboratories, outpatient clinics and emergency facilities.

Tasks

There are many things an X-ray technician must do before, during, and after a patient's X-ray.

Some of these tasks are:

Help triage patients
Explain the procedure to the patient.
prepare the team
Follow-up of the patient during the exams.
Disclosure of information to doctors or medical equipment
Ensure patient safety
x-ray image

wage

You can earn good money as an X-ray technician.

The average salary for this career is around $77,360 per year.

If you're just starting out as an X-ray technician and have minimal experience, you'll typically make around $59,110 to get started.

Once you get credentials and hands-on training, you can expect to earn upwards of $100,870 in some areas.

Working in larger populations leads to higher wages.

For example, X-ray technicians working in Washington and Texas can expect to earn over $70,000 a year on average.

However, in smaller cities like Ohio or Wyoming, you're likely to earn around $60,000 a year.

Yearly
A month
Hourly

Annual National Average Salary:66.490 $

$ 46.000

$ 48.000

$ 66.000

$ 77.000

$ 94.000

10%

25%

50%

75%

90%

Average annual salary by state

federal state	average annual salary
Alabama	$ 50.020
Alaska	77.690 $
Arizona	66.600 $
Arkansas	53.130 $
California	95.170 $
Colorado	68.810 $
Connecticut	74.780 $
Delaware	64.670 $
DC	79.320 $
Florida	59.570 $
Georgia	59.830 $
hawaii	84.100 $
Idaho	62.370 $
Illinois	65.730 $
Indiana	60.620 $
Iowa	55.050 $
Kansas	58.550 $
Kentucky	57.000 $
Louisiana	54.350 $
Maine	62.780 $
Maryland	72.210 $
Massachusetts	79.360 $
Michigan	60.460 $
Minnesota	69.940 $
Mississippi	49.880 $
Measurements	57.910 $
Montana	58.570 $
Nebraska	58.700 $
Nevada	67.550 $
New Hampshire	70.250 $
New Jersey	74.300 $
New Mexico	61.200 $
New York	77.140 $
North Caroline	59.910 $
Dakota do Norte	59.220 $
Ohio	59.780 $
Oklahoma	58.890 $
Oregon	78.800 $
pennsylvania	60.390 $
Rhode Island	77.680 $
Carolina do sul	57.450 $
heart house	56.170 $
Tennessee	55.040 $
Texas	62.810 $
Utah	61.460 $
Vermont	66.100 $
Virginia	64.970 $
Washington	77.380 $
West Virginia	55.060 $
Wisconsin	63.330 $
Wyoming	64.210 $
Puerto Rico	28.280 $
virgin islands	50.670 $

Average Annual Salary: Top 5 States

The highest earning state in this field is California where the median salary is $95,170.

These are the 5 states with the highest revenue in this field:

California – $95,170

Hawaii – $84,100

(Video) Radiologic (X-Ray) Technology: Start a fast-paced, well paying medical career in two years!

Massachusetts – 79.360 $

District of Columbia – $79,320

Oregon – $78,800

*Salary information is based on the May 2021 Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Radiology Technologists and Technicians, OCC Code 29-2034, BLS.
* Employment conditions in your region may vary.

How to Become an X-Ray Technician

Step 1 Enroll in a program

Proper training as a radiologist is crucial.

There are different types of programs available for those interested in this career.

Online programs lasting about a year are offered nationwide, as are face-to-face classes at community colleges or technical schools.

It is important to make sure that the program you are applying to is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiographic Technology.

If you wish to further your education, it is possible to obtain an associate degree as a radiologist.

step 2 get certified

Once you earn a degree or certificate from an accredited program, it's time to start thinking about becoming certified.

Certification is not required in all states, but it helps with career opportunities.

To become certified, you must pass the Registered Technologist exam.

This test consists of 220 multiple-choice questions and can take up to three hours to complete.

This exam and more information can be found on the American Registry of Radiographic Technologists.

Most states require a license before it is legal to work as an X-ray technician.

Finding licensing information about your government's health organizations is the best way to get all the right information for licensing.

Each state may vary in requirements, but most licenses last between 1 and 4 years.

step 3 gain experience

Once you have your license and all the certifications you should think about getting some experience.

This could mean volunteering, mentoring, internships or even looking for a job.

X-ray technicians can work in a variety of locations, such as:

hospitals
dental practices
emergency care
Work hard
imaging centers
medical practices
rehabilitation centers

It is also possible to be an itinerant radiologist.

This means that you will be working in different locations during the work week.

People who like to travel and want to get involved in the medical field are best suited for this.

Finding further certification and specialization in this field may require at least two years of experience as an X-ray technician.

step 4 advance your career

Once you have some experience as an X-ray technician, you will likely find that you want to either complete your career or move on to another.

That's okay, and there are several ways you can do this as an X-ray technician.

You can obtain additional certification through the American Registry of Radiographic Technologists.

Some of the certifications available are:

Certified Computed Tomography Technologist
MRI technologist
Specialist in diagnostic equipment
radiology assistant

Earning a degree beyond the associate degree can be another big step for a radiologist.

A bachelor's degree can open up many more career opportunities.

This degree can take around four years to complete, but it can lead to jobs like:

Radiology Administrator
pediatric radiologist
cardiovascular technologist

Education

You must enroll in a program to become a radiologist. However, your employer can decide how much training is required.

Some employers require a radiologist program certificate or diploma, while others prefer their radiologists to have an associate degree.

Most X-ray technician programs last about a year and can be found online and on campus at community colleges and trade schools across the United States.

Certificate programs can provide training for entry-level positions in the medical field.

Some of the accrediting bodies to look for when applying to X-ray technical schools:

Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiology Technology
American Society of Radiologic Technologists
American Association of Radiologic Technologists

Some of the topics covered in a typical X-ray technician certificate program are:

(Video) How To Become An X-Ray Technician!

Mammography
computed tomography
radiation biology
patient positioning
computed tomography

Associate degrees are available for those interested in pursuing an undergraduate program.

These programs can last two years and require in-person internships and clinical work.

There are several specializations that can lead to a career as a radiologist, including:

radiological technology
Applied science
bone scan

The courses required in an associate degree are usually found under the Science and Mathematics category.

Some of the expected courses include:

Biochemistry
pathophysiology
diagnostic concepts
Radiation Protection
Anatomy
biology

If you plan to continue your career as a radiologist and beyond, consider a bachelor's degree.

This will take about four years and you will gain an in-depth understanding of X-ray technology and access to executive career opportunities.

Job opportunities that may open up to you with further training to become an X-ray technician are:

MRT technology
sonography
Technologist in Nuclear Medicine
radiologic technologist
Limited scope X-ray technologist

video about the race

Licensing and Certification

There is a difference between being licensed as an X-ray technician and being certified.

Most states require X-ray technicians to be licensed, which requires you to take an exam and reapply every few years.

The same goes for certification, which, while not a legal requirement, demonstrates your competence in the field and can help you with job opportunities.

Getting licensed to practice as an X-ray technician requires you to take the state exam.

This can vary by state, so it's safest to contact your local hospital or university for more information.

Typically, you must provide proof of completing the program and passing an exam.

Exams can cost between $200 and $400, depending on the state.

Once you have hands-on experience as an X-ray technician, you can become certified.

There are a variety of memberships that allow you to become certified.

These associations include:

Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiology Technology
American Society of Radiologic Technologists
American Association of Radiologic Technologists

Each association has its own certifications and requirements.

AART is licensed to be a Certified Radiology Technician.

To qualify for this certification, you must have completed an associate degree program.

This certification requires you to take an exam that covers the following topics:

patient care and management
Radiological Techniques
position patient
MRIs and CT scans

The exam can have up to 220 questions and can take up to three hours for some people.

You may also be required to have a certain number of clinical work hours before being admitted to the exam.

The other credentials require an exam, but this can usually be determined by the association or agency you are certifying for.

All certifications require recertification after 3-5 years and this can be done by continuing your studies or re-taking the exam associated with the qualification.

Certification example:

Average duration of training program:1-2 years

Getting certified as an X-ray technician can take as little as a year and can be done online in most cases.

However, it is important to ensure that each program is accredited and that relevant experience is available through the program.

Most one-year programs provide basic training, but there are some programs that can last around 18 months.

These programs may offer a little more education and often offer an internship or other hands-on experience.

Depending on the type of school you enroll in, it can take 1-2 years to complete an apprenticeship program.

Jobausblick

If you are interested in working as an X-ray technician, now is the time to start thinking about starting your journey.

This race is expected to grow by around 9 percent over the next few years.

There are many reasons for this projected growth, including technological advances and an aging population.

With more equipment and skills thanks to technology, it has become easier to decipher X-rays and other data.

Indeed, even as the baby boom generation ages, this race will peak.

With credentials and experience in this field, many more job opportunities will be created for those interested in working as X-ray technicians.

Projected job growth:9%

212.100
2020

230.298
2030

This is an above-average growth forecast of 18,198

Should You Become an X-Ray Technician?

general happiness:Medium

This profession can have higher stress levels than many others because it involves working with patients who are sick or in pain.

While it can be stressful, this job has some good qualities.

The hours are fine if you work in laboratories or doctors' offices, but may be longer if you work in hospitals.

Promotions and salary increases are relatively easy in this career, which can also lead to greater satisfaction.

There are many good things about working as an X-ray technician, including the pay, which is reasonable for a career that requires little schooling.

(Video) X-Ray Tech Salary | How Much Money does Radiologic Technologist Make?

Average Salary:hoch

Working as an X-ray technician means you should expect to earn around $77,360 a year.

This applies to those with associate degrees and certifications and some hands-on experience.

If you are just starting your career as an X-ray technician, you are likely to earn $59,110.

With experience and education, an X-ray technician has the potential to earn upwards of $100,870 a year in some areas.

There are many excellent opportunities to work as an X-ray technician.

Job growth outlook:Medium

There will be a rise in this career over the next ten years.

X-ray technicians can expect job growth of around 9 percent.

This is normal for technicians.

With the use of technology, X-ray decoding has become easier, and not only that, but there are also some more areas that can be X-rayed.

Working as an X-ray technician means you need to understand medical terminology as well as how to operate the equipment.

If you are knowledgeable in this field, you can expect a lot more career opportunities.

Training duration:1-2 years

Most X-ray technicians working in the United States have an associate degree.

An associate degree can take about two years and lead to certification as a radiologist.

If you want to advance professionally, it is possible to obtain a bachelor's degree in this field.

This can take an additional two years at some colleges and four years at others, depending on whether or not the school recognizes prior credit.

For entry level jobs as an X-ray technician you should have 2 years of schooling and for advanced careers about 4 years.

Necessary Personal Skills

Working with patients who are sick or in pain can be difficult, so it takes a special person to work as an X-ray technician.

Not only must you be wise in the field of medicine, but you must also have empathy and compassion for others.

Some of the other skills needed to succeed in this career are:

communication skills
Attention to the details
mathematical skills
Physical resistance
calm hands
decision authority
good judgment
coordination
patience
The ability to think critically.
punctuality
knowledge of anatomy

common questions

How much does an x-ray technician make?

The average radiologist earns $63,000 per year in the US.

After several years of experience and getting referrals, that salary can grow to over $80,000 a year.

However, if you're fresh out of school and have no experience, you should expect to earn around $40,000 a year as an X-ray technician.

Those who work in large populations at larger hospitals tend to earn higher salaries than X-ray technicians who work in smaller cities and smaller clinics.

How long does it take to become an X-ray technician?

The time it takes to become an X-ray technician really depends on the type of education you are looking for.

(Video) Become a Rad Tech, (Salary, Job Prospects, Best Paying States)

Some aspiring radiologists choose to do a one-year program, while others choose to earn an associate degree.

An associate degree can take two years to complete, which can lead to an early career as a radiologist.

For future promotions and pay increases, X-ray technicians are usually awarded a bachelor's degree, which can take four years to complete.

What does an x-ray technician do?

An X-ray technician is responsible for ensuring patients are comfortable and in the proper position to get the best X-ray images of specific body parts.

In addition to understanding medical terminology, an X-ray technician must have math skills and customer service skills.

These characteristics will come in handy when serving clients, taking pictures of body parts, and working with the equipment needed to capture the pictures.

The career of an X-ray technician consists of many parts.

What is the demand for X-ray technicians?

X-ray technicians will likely always be needed in the medical field.

Because technological advances have made it easier to take X-rays, which can lead to faster diagnosis and treatment than ever before.

X-ray technicians should expect about 7% growth in this profession over the next ten years.

Another reason for this growth is that the baby boom generation is aging, which means a greater need for medical interventions.

How much does it cost to become an X-ray technician?

To be a successful radiologist, it is important to get the proper education.

There are some programs that last about a year and can cost between $4,000 and $5,000.

Other programs offering an associate's degree can cost anywhere from $10,000 to $15,000, depending on the college or university you attend.

If you're interested in earning a bachelor's degree, it can cost around $35,000 in some areas.

In total, it can cost between $4,000 and $35,000 to become an X-ray technician.

Resources for X-Ray Technicians

14 Pros and Cons of Being an X-Ray Technician
Online Training Programs for X-Ray Technicians

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