How many years to become a Radiologist Technician?
Dreaming of a career in healthcare that blends cutting-edge technology with meaningful patient care? Becoming a Radiologist Technician might be your perfect fit. But one of the first questions future professionals ask is: How many years to become a Radiologist Technician? The answer could surprise you! In as little as two years, you can complete the required training and start working in this dynamic, high-demand field.
Whether you’re planning a career change or just starting out, this guide will walk you through the steps, education options, and benefits of becoming a radiologic technologist — so you can start your journey with confidence and clarity. Keep reading to discover how quickly you could launch your future!
What is a Radiologist Technician or Radiologic Technologist?
A Radiologist technician or Radiologic Technologist is an essential member of the healthcare team. The radiologist technician’s primary role is to operate X-ray imaging equipment and perform technical procedures to create images of internal organs, bones, and tissues.
Their work is very important because they help physicians diagnose a wide range of injuries, like fractures resulting from trauma, accidents, as well as other diseases, so that the physician can find an appropriate treatment.
Radiologist technicians can perform a variety of exams, and work with different equipment like portable X-rays machines, fluoroscopy equipment, or C-arm equipment and work in the operating room (OR) alongside surgeons.
As a Rad tech you will be able to work at different healthcare facilities. That will depend on your availability, your personality, interests, and aptitudes. You could work at hospitals (Trauma hospitals, Children’s Hospitals, Cancer Centers), outpatient clinics, orthopedic clinics, or free-standing ERs.
Radiologist Technicians (also called Radiologic Technologists, Rad Techs or Xray Techs) make up the third-largest group of health care professionals in the United States.
How much does a radiology technician earn?
According to the latest data from the Percentile wage estimates for Radiologic Technologists and Technicians of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics of 2024, a Radiologist technician’s average salary ranges from $73,410 $102,380, depending on the state, the medical facility, and how many years of experience they have.
As of 2025, radiologic technologists in the U.S. earn a wide range of hourly wages depending on their experience, location, and area of specialization. On average, they make about $35.29 per hour, which translates to a median annual income of approximately $73,410. Entry-level professionals, or those in the lowest 10%, typically earn around $24.05 per hour, while seasoned technologists in the top 10% can make up to $49.22 per hour.
Wages also vary significantly by state. For example, in Florida, radiologic technologists typically earn between $24.08 and $44.67 per hour, while in high-demand areas like California, average annual salaries can exceed $100,000, reflecting a higher hourly rate due to cost of living and job demand.
Experience plays a major role in earnings. Additional certifications and working night or weekend shifts can also boost pay from $3.00 to $5.00. For the most accurate salary insights, it’s helpful to check local job listings or consult professional associations in the field.
How many years to become a Radiologist Technician?
The Radiography Associate in Science (A.S.) degree is a two-year program that prepares you to go directly into a specialized career as a Radiologist Technician.
This program equips students with the necessary skills to perform diagnostic imaging procedures, such as X-rays, and prepares them for certification exams.
Some individuals may opt for a bachelor’s degree, extending their education to four years, which can open doors to advanced positions and specializations within the field, like CT, MRI, Nuclear Medicine or Interventional Radiology. Understanding these educational pathways is crucial for those aiming to enter this in-demand profession.
How to become a radiologist technician in the United States
To become a Rad Tech, you will need to obtain an Associate in Science (A.S.) degree in a Radiography program. There are a lot of colleges and universities in the United States that offer programs to study a degree in radiologic technology. For example, in Florida there are 29 colleges and universities with radiologic technology degree programs, you can find schools here.
What are the prerequisites for admission?
It will depend on the college or university, but you will usually need to complete some general education requirements in communications, mathematics, humanities, social sciences, and science. Graduates of this program are eligible to sit for the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists national credentialing examination
Career outlook
Radiography is a challenging and growing profession with wide range of career advancement opportunities. The average job placement after graduation is particularly good, but it will depend on the student. You can get hired right away, or it might take you 3, 6 months. In 2025, there is high demand for radiologist technicians all over the United States.
Some radiologist technicians may choose to specialize in additional diagnostic imaging modalities such as computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), nuclear medicine/positron emission tomography (PET/CT), mammography, angiography, and quality assurance.
If you want to know how you can start earning up to $4000 a week, we recommend you read the related article How to Become a CT tech
With professional experience and additional education, management and education are additional career options. You can also pursue a career as a radiologist assistant.
What is a Radiologist Assistant?
A radiologist assistant (RA) is an advanced practice radiologic technologist who works under the supervision of a Radiologist. A Radiologist is a physician that reviews and interpret x-rays, CTs, and other medical images to diagnose injuries or diseases, recommending treatment or additional testing.
The role of an RA is to enhance patient care by assisting the radiologist with patient assessment, patient management, and radiological procedures.
In this role, you’ll ultimately learn to perform many procedures that a Radiologist would otherwise do. The RA also makes initial observations of diagnostic images but does not provide an official interpretation in the form of a written report (Advanced Practice Advisory Panel, 2002).
How can I become a Radiologist Assistant?
You can become a Radiologist Assistant with a master’s degree in Radiologic Science. The RA program is only 24 months in length. In the United States, you can find RADIOLOGIST ASSISTANT EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS in California, Texas, Connecticut, New Jersey, North Carolina, and Utah.
For additional information regarding this new and exciting healthcare career, see the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists and the American Society of Radiologic Technologists.
Conclusion: How many years to become a Radiologist Technician
Pursuing a career as a radiologic technologist is a smart and rewarding choice for those interested in healthcare and technology. With training programs that can be completed in as little as two years, this profession offers a relatively fast path to entering a growing medical field. Radiologic technologists play a vital role in diagnosing and monitoring patients, working alongside physicians to provide accurate imaging for treatment decisions.
Whether you’re wondering how many years to become a Radiologist Technician or exploring career options in healthcare, this path combines job stability, meaningful patient interaction, and opportunities for advancement. Start your journey today and take the first step toward a future in diagnostic imaging.
As you can see, you can Become a Radiologist technician is a fulfilling career choice with a huge potential for professional development and growth that offers job security and above-average pay. There are several career paths that you can pursue, and you can also become a traveler Rad tech and earn up to $3500 per week.
