Radiologic Technologists Programs
Degree & Program Types. Check out this list for a quick view of our radiologic technology programs. For program requirements and full course listings.
Please enable javascript to play this video. Quick Facts: Radiologic and MRI Technologists $58,960 per year $28.35 per hour Associate's degree None 241,700 13% (Faster than average) 30,300 Radiologic technologists, also known as radiographers, perform diagnostic imaging examinations, such as x rays, on patients. MRI technologists operate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners to create diagnostic images. Radiologic and MRI technologists work in healthcare facilities, and more than half work in hospitals. Radiologic technologists and MRI technologists typically need an associate’s degree.
Many MRI technologists start out as radiologic technologists and specialize later in their career. Radiologic technologists must be licensed or certified in most states. Few states license MRI technologists. Employers typically require or prefer prospective technologists to be certified even if the state does not require it.
The median annual wage for magnetic resonance imaging technologists was $68,420 in May 2016. The median annual wage for radiologic technologists was $57,450 in May 2016. Overall employment of radiologic and MRI technologists is projected to grow 13 percent from 2016 to 2026, faster than the average for all occupations. As the population grows older, there will be an increase in medical conditions that require imaging as a tool for making diagnoses. Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for radiologic and MRI technologists. Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of radiologic and MRI technologists with similar occupations.
Learn more about radiologic and MRI technologists by visiting additional resources, including O.NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations. Radiologic technologists specialize in x-ray and computed tomography (CT) imaging. Radiologic technologists, also known as radiographers, perform diagnostic imaging examinations, such as x rays, on patients.
MRI technologists operate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners to create diagnostic images. Radiologic and MRI technologists work in hospitals and other healthcare facilities. Magnetic resonance imaging technologists held about 36,600 jobs in 2016. The largest employers of magnetic resonance imaging technologists were as follows: Hospitals; state, local, and private 59% Medical and diagnostic laboratories 20 Offices of physicians 13 Outpatient care centers 4 Radiologic technologists held about 205,200 jobs in 2016.
The largest employers of radiologic technologists were as follows: Hospitals; state, local, and private 59% Offices of physicians 20 Medical and diagnostic laboratories 8 Outpatient care centers 6 Federal government, excluding postal service 3 Radiologic and MRI technologists are often on their feet for long periods and may need to lift or turn patients who are disabled. Injuries and Illnesses Like other healthcare workers, radiologic and MRI technologists may be exposed to infectious diseases. In addition, because radiologic technologists work with imaging equipment that uses radiation, they must wear badges that measure radiation levels in the radiation area. Detailed records are kept on their cumulative lifetime dose. Although radiation hazards exist in this occupation, they are minimized by the use of protective lead aprons, gloves, and other shielding devices, and by badges that monitor exposure to radiation. Work Schedules Most radiologic and MRI technologists work full time. Because imaging is sometimes needed in emergency situations, some technologists work evenings, weekends, or overnight.
Radiologic technologists must follow exact instructions to get the images needed to diagnose and treat the patient. Radiologic technologists and MRI technologists typically need an associate’s degree.
Many MRI technologists start out as radiologic technologists and specialize later in their career. Radiologic technologists must be licensed or certified in most states. Few states license MRI technologists. Employers typically require or prefer prospective technologists to be certified even if the state does not require it.
Education An associate’s degree is the most common educational requirement for radiologic and MRI technologists. There also are postsecondary education programs that lead to graduate certificates or bachelor’s degrees. Education programs typically include both classroom study and clinical work. Coursework includes anatomy, pathology, patient care, radiation physics and protection, and image evaluation. The (JRCERT) accredits programs in radiography and the (ARMRIT) accredits MRI programs. Completing an accredited program is required for licensure in some states. High school students who are interested in radiologic or MRI technology should take courses that focus on math and science, such as anatomy, biology, chemistry, physiology, and physics.
Work Experience in a Related Occupation MRI technologists typically have less than 5 years of work experience as radiologic technologists. Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations Radiologic technologists must be licensed or certified in most states. Few states license MRI technologists. Requirements vary by state. To become licensed, technologists must usually graduate from an accredited program, and pass a certification exam from the state or obtain a certification from a certifying body. Certifications for radiologic technologists are available from the (ARRT). Certifications for MRI technologists are available from the ARRT and from the (ARMRIT).
For specific licensure requirements for radiologic technologists and MRI technologists, contact the state’s health board. Employers typically require or prefer prospective technologists to be certified even if the state does not require it. Important Qualities Detail oriented. Radiologic and MRI technologists must follow exact instructions to get the images needed for diagnoses.
Radiologic Technologists Programs In Dallas
Interpersonal skills. Radiologic and MRI technologists work closely with patients who may be in extreme pain or mentally stressed. They must put the patient at ease to get usable images. Radiologic and MRI technologists may need to calculate and mix the right doses of chemicals used in imaging procedures. Physical stamina. Radiologic and MRI technologists often work on their feet for long periods during their shift and they must lift and move patients who need assistance.
Technical skills. Radiologic and MRI technologists must understand how to operate complex machinery. Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S.
Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics The median annual wage for magnetic resonance imaging technologists was $68,420 in May 2016. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $47,960, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $95,890. The median annual wage for radiologic technologists was $57,450 in May 2016. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $38,660, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $82,590.
Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program Employment of radiologic technologists is projected to grow 12 percent from 2016 to 2026, faster than the average for all occupations. Employment of MRI technologists is projected to grow 14 percent from 2016 to 2026, faster than the average for all occupations. As the baby-boom population grows older, there may be an increase in medical conditions, such as cancer and Alzheimer’s disease, which require imaging as a tool for making diagnoses. Radiologic and MRI technologists will be needed to take the images.
Job Prospects Technologists who graduate from accredited programs and those with multiple certifications will have the best job prospects. Employment projections data for radiologic and MRI technologists, 2016-26 Occupational Title SOC Code Employment, 2016 Projected Employment, 2026 Change, 2016-26 Employment by Industry Percent Numeric SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program Radiologic and MRI technologists — 241,700 272,000 13 30,300 — Radiologic technologists 29-2034 205,200 230,500 12 25,300 Magnetic resonance imaging technologists 29-2035 36,600 41,500 14 5,000. State & Area Data Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) The (OES) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link(s) below go to OES data maps for employment and wages by state and area.
Projections Central Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state’s websites where these data may be retrieved. CareerOneStop CareerOneStop includes hundreds of with data available by state and metro area.
There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a to search for wages by zip code. Similar Occupations This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of radiologic and MRI technologists. Occupation Job Duties ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION 2016 MEDIAN PAY Diagnostic medical sonographers and cardiovascular technologists and technicians, including vascular technologists, also called diagnostic imaging workers, operate special imaging equipment to create images or to conduct tests.
The images and test results help physicians assess and diagnose medical conditions. Associate's degree $64,280 Nuclear medicine technologists prepare radioactive drugs and administer them to patients for imaging or therapeutic purposes. Associate's degree $74,350 Radiation therapists treat cancer and other diseases in patients by administering radiation treatments. Associate's degree $80,160 Veterinary technologists and technicians perform medical tests under the supervision of a licensed to assist in diagnosing the injuries and illnesses of animals. Associate's degree $32,490.
Pay The Pay tab describes typical earnings and how workers in the occupation are compensated—annual salaries, hourly wages, commissions, tips, or bonuses. Within every occupation, earnings vary by experience, responsibility, performance, tenure, and geographic area.
For most profiles, this tab has a table with wages in the major industries employing the occupation. It does not include pay for self-employed workers, agriculture workers, or workers in private households because these data are not collected by the Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) survey, the source of BLS wage data in the OOH.