There were just over 221,100 radiologic techs (technologists and technicians) working in the U.S. as of May 2023 according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This occupation includes practitioners who take x-rays and CAT scans or administer nonradioactive materials for diagnostic or research purposes. It does not, however, include diagnostic medical sonographers or MRI technologists. Radiologic techs work mainly in hospitals and physician offices, but smaller numbers are also found working in outpatient care centers and medical diagnostic laboratories. Radiologic techs typically earn better salaries and wages than workers in most other occupations. According to BLS estimates, as of May 2023, the national mean wage for radiologic techs was $75,250 per year. Radiologic tech pay varies significantly from state to state according to the BLS data. In the best states for radiologic tech pay, practitioners can earn more than $85,000 per year while their peers in other parts of the country make less than $65,000 annually. Per BLS data as of May 2023, the ten best and worst states for radiologic tech pay were:
The Best and Worst States for Radiologic Tech Pay
| Best Paying States | |
| California | $103,150 |
| Massachusetts | $93,270 |
| Hawaii | $92,170 |
| Oregon | $90,610 |
| Washington | $89,910 |
| District of Columbia | $89,740 |
| Alaska | $87,180 |
| Nevada | $86,570 |
| Connecticut | $85,380 |
| New York | $85,330 |
| Worst Paying States | |
| West Virginia | $64,580 |
| South Dakota | $63,590 |
| Kentucky | $63,520 |
| South Carolina | $62,980 |
| Tennessee | $62,710 |
| Iowa | $62,550 |
| Louisiana | $61,480 |
| Arkansas | $59,470 |
| Alabama | $56,670 |
| Mississippi | $53,660 |
(*) annual mean wage ranking among the 50 states and the District of Columbia
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES. Data extracted on July 22, 2024
