Radiologic Technologist: career path and pay in the US
Where a Radiologic Technologist goes next, what each step typically pays in the United States, and how exposed the path is to AI replacement. 3 steps, from Radiologic Technologist to Senior Radiologic Technologist / RT Manager / Director of Imaging.
Also for the United Kingdom: Radiologic Technologist in the UK
The path
Step 1 · 0 to 3 years
Radiologic Technologist
$95K to $140K
Typical US pay for this job title, retrieved September 2026.
What this step adds
Credentials that help: ARRT (American Registry of Radiologic Technologists) - US, HCPC Registration - UK/EU, State License - US.
Step 2 · 3 to 8 years
Radiologic Technologist / Senior RT
$105K to $160K
Typical US pay for this job title, retrieved September 2026.
What this step adds
Credentials that help: ARRT - US, HCPC Registration - UK/EU, State License - US, Specialty Certification (optional) - Global.
Step 3 · 8+ years
Senior Radiologic Technologist / RT Manager / Director of Imaging
$120K to $180K
Typical US pay for this job title, retrieved September 2026.
What this step adds
Credentials that help: ARRT - US, HCPC Registration - UK/EU, State License - US, Specialty Certification - Global.
Exposure and pay along the path
Exposure to AI, now to later
52% → 24%
Falls 28 points. Each step is harder to automate than the last. Lower is better.
Typical pay, now to later
$95K to $140K → $120K to $180K
US estimates by job title, Glassdoor, Indeed and PayScale US. The published figure for Senior Respiratory Therapist sat below the previous step, so this band is set 12% above it. The published figure for Senior Radiologic Technologist sat below the previous step, so this band is set 12% above it.
What the work involves
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.
Skills that matter most
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
- Writing
Knowledge areas
- English Language
- Medicine and Dentistry
- Customer and Personal Service
- Biology
- Physics
- Computers and Electronics
Education people bring
Job Zone 3, 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.
Other paths from here
- RT Manager
- Director of Imaging
- Healthcare Administrator
- Imaging Educator
More Healthcare paths in the US
Related occupations in O*NET: Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians, Diagnostic Medical Sonographers, Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists, Radiation Therapists, Neurodiagnostic Technologists.
Your own role
How exposed is your job, task by task? Free score in under a minute.
SourcesSalary bands: Glassdoor, Indeed and PayScale US, US national averages by job title, retrieved September 2026Skills, knowledge and education: O*NET 31.0 Database
This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 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. CC BY 4.0
Salary estimates by job title from Glassdoor, Indeed and PayScale, retrieved September 2026. Each band runs from 20% below to 20% above the reported average, rounded to $5K. Exposure percentages and the skills listed under each step are this app's own editorial ratings, not published data.