Contents
X Ray Techician Salary
| Percentile | 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
| Hourly Wage | $17.82 | $21.39 | $26.26 | $31.99 | $37.10 |
| Annual Wage | $37,100 | $44,500 | $54,600 | $66,500 | $77,200 |
How much does an X-ray technician make? X-ray technicians are trained to take X ray images of patients in order to diagnose various medical conditions or injuries. In addition to preparing patients for the imaging procedure which involves positioning patients, explaining the procedure, and sometimes administering contrast, X-ray technicians operate the equipment used to take X rays. They must also follow strict guidelines to properly shield parts of the patient’s body that are not being imaged. Becoming an X-ray technician usually involves obtaining an associate’s degree in radiography which requires both classroom and clinical training. Although less common, some colleges and universities offer bachelor’s degree programs in radiography.
Salary
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2012, X-ray technicians earned a median wage of $54,620. This means that half of those employed in the field made more than that amount and half of x-ray technicians earned less. Those with a salary in the top 10 percent of the profession made $77,160 or more, and those earning a salary in the lowest 10 percent made $37,060 or less.
Factors Impacting Salary
Technicians can become certified to specialize in other areas of imaging including mammography, MRI, and/or CT, and doing so will almost always increase employment opportunities and salary potential. Furthermore, the number of years one is employed in the field will increase his or her earnings, and the place of employment of an X-ray technician can also dictate salary amount. Those employed in diagnostic imaging centers reported the highest earnings in the field, while those employed in doctors’ offices reportedly earn the least.
Geographical Location and Salary
Some X-ray technicians also have a higher annual salary based on their geographic location. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, those technicians living in Massachusetts have the highest salaries. Other top paying states are: California,Alaska, Washington DC, and Hawaii.
Work Environment and Schedule
The majority of X-ray technicians are employed full time. Most work in hospitals, but some are employed in physicians’ offices and imaging centers. The work schedule of an X-ray technician differs depending on the place of employment. Those working in hospitals can expect to work a varied schedule that might consist of nights, weekends, and holidays. Since X-ray technicians are often needed in emergency situations, some technicians might be on call as well. X-ray technicians employed in doctors’ offices or imaging centers generally work a normal business schedule, but could work evenings and weekends based on the hours of the office or facility.
Job Outlook
The job outlook for X-ray technicians is projected to be positive. Between 2012 and 2022, the field is expected to grow faster than most other careers at a rate of 21 percent. This increased growth is due to several factors. First, the aging portion of the population will need diagnostic imaging due to age-related injuries, and the availability of health care to a greater number of people due to new legislation will create a need for more trained X-ray technicians.
Top Paying Industries
| Industry | Employment | % of industry employment | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean salary |
| Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools | 2,110 | 0.07 | $31.88 | $66,320 |
| Employment Services | 1,470 | 0.04 | $30.49 | $63,410 |
| Scientific Research and Development Services | 270 | 0.04 | $30.23 | $62,870 |
| Specialty (except Psychiatric and Substance Abuse) Hospitals | 2,020 | 0.84 | $30.09 | $62,580 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | 340 | 0.02 | $29.24 | $60,820 |
Salary By State
| State | 10% | 25% | Median | 75% | 90% | Jobs (2010) | Jobs (2020) | Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $30,500 | $36,700 | $44,400 | $53,100 | $60,300 | 3,470 | 4,440 | +28% |
| Alaska | $51,800 | $59,600 | $68,100 | $75,700 | $88,000 | 430 | 560 | +31% |
| Arizona | $42,700 | $51,300 | $59,400 | $70,900 | $82,200 | 5,310 | 7,250 | +36% |
| Arkansas | $30,000 | $35,200 | $43,100 | $52,400 | $59,800 | 2,370 | 2,590 | +9% |
| California | $42,300 | $55,800 | $69,700 | $85,700 | $102,100 | 17,200 | 21,300 | +24% |
| Colorado | $39,700 | $45,900 | $56,600 | $69,700 | $81,200 | 3,090 | 3,990 | +29% |
| Connecticut | $47,900 | $53,600 | $62,400 | $73,000 | $85,300 | 2,410 | 2,990 | +24% |
| Delaware | $41,200 | $51,200 | $59,900 | $70,100 | $77,400 | 1,060 | 1,320 | +24% |
| District of Columbia | $42,700 | $53,700 | $67,700 | $82,300 | $93,100 | 810 | 1,020 | +27% |
| Florida | $35,600 | $42,500 | $51,000 | $59,000 | $69,700 | 14,570 | 18,080 | +24% |
| Georgia | $33,900 | $40,700 | $49,800 | $58,200 | $67,700 | 6,130 | 8,150 | +33% |
| Hawaii | $48,800 | $58,000 | $67,400 | $75,700 | $87,800 | 740 | 890 | +20% |
| Idaho | $39,200 | $43,000 | $49,500 | $57,800 | $67,100 | 1,000 | 1,400 | +40% |
| Illinois | $36,600 | $46,600 | $57,200 | $69,300 | $78,600 | 8,460 | 9,630 | +14% |
| Iowa | $33,900 | $39,600 | $45,800 | $54,200 | $60,500 | 2,600 | 3,240 | +25% |
| Kansas | $34,800 | $40,700 | $46,900 | $56,900 | $67,400 | 2,480 | 3,120 | +26% |
| Kentucky | $33,200 | $39,600 | $47,000 | $57,200 | $67,700 | 4,260 | 5,330 | +25% |
| Louisiana | $34,200 | $40,500 | $47,700 | $56,800 | $65,500 | 2,940 | 3,580 | +22% |
| Maine | $40,900 | $46,200 | $54,600 | $63,200 | $71,800 | 1,070 | 1,470 | +37% |
| Maryland | $44,900 | $54,200 | $65,300 | $74,300 | $86,300 | 4,550 | 5,800 | +28% |
| Massachusetts | $48,100 | $56,700 | $69,700 | $85,300 | $98,200 | 6,900 | 8,680 | +26% |
| Michigan | $36,300 | $42,600 | $50,300 | $58,900 | $69,100 | 6,940 | 8,280 | +19% |
| Minnesota | $40,900 | $49,300 | $59,700 | $70,200 | $77,800 | 4,430 | 5,670 | +28% |
| Mississippi | $31,800 | $37,200 | $43,800 | $52,500 | $60,800 | 2,530 | 2,970 | +17% |
| Missouri | $34,300 | $41,100 | $49,400 | $58,500 | $69,300 | 5,730 | 6,900 | +21% |
| Montana | $36,500 | $42,100 | $49,500 | $58,100 | $69,900 | 700 | 1,010 | +43% |
| Nebraska | $34,900 | $40,900 | $47,000 | $56,500 | $65,400 | 1,710 | 1,910 | +12% |
| Nevada | $42,800 | $51,100 | $61,500 | $74,000 | $88,200 | 1,590 | 1,890 | +19% |
| New Hampshire | $41,900 | $48,600 | $58,200 | $69,500 | $77,400 | 1,050 | 1,260 | +20% |
| New Jersey | $49,300 | $54,300 | $62,600 | $71,500 | $78,000 | 6,790 | 7,720 | +14% |
| New Mexico | $40,400 | $46,300 | $54,200 | $62,900 | $74,600 | 770 | 970 | +26% |
| New York | $44,600 | $53,600 | $64,900 | $74,300 | $86,600 | 13,340 | 15,920 | +19% |
| North Carolina | $37,400 | $43,300 | $51,900 | $61,500 | $71,700 | 7,650 | 9,350 | +22% |
| North Dakota | $34,600 | $40,700 | $45,900 | $53,400 | $60,100 | 600 | 750 | +25% |
| Ohio | $38,900 | $43,900 | $51,200 | $57,700 | $63,700 | 10,200 | 12,630 | +24% |
| Oklahoma | $33,200 | $40,000 | $47,700 | $57,600 | $67,700 | 2,530 | 3,300 | +30% |
| Oregon | $47,900 | $54,100 | $63,500 | $73,100 | $83,800 | 2,350 | 3,030 | 0% |
| Pennsylvania | $34,800 | $42,600 | $52,700 | $62,300 | $73,000 | 10,240 | 11,920 | +16% |
| Rhode Island | $48,400 | $54,000 | $63,800 | $78,800 | $89,400 | 1,100 | 1,280 | +16% |
| South Carolina | $34,500 | $41,000 | $48,700 | $58,300 | $69,100 | 3,380 | 4,310 | +28% |
| South Dakota | $32,100 | $37,300 | $44,900 | $54,200 | $61,700 | 1,100 | 1,270 | +15% |
| Tennessee | $33,200 | $39,800 | $47,700 | $56,600 | $64,000 | 5,200 | 6,610 | +27% |
| Texas | $34,900 | $42,600 | $52,000 | $61,800 | $72,600 | 15,350 | 20,910 | +36% |
| Utah | $36,200 | $42,100 | $48,900 | $58,300 | $68,900 | 1,550 | 2,030 | +31% |
| Vermont | – | – | – | – | – | 470 | 540 | +15% |
| Virginia | $37,100 | $46,000 | $55,700 | $67,400 | $76,700 | 5,350 | 6,790 | +27% |
| Washington | $46,700 | $53,700 | $63,600 | $75,000 | $89,000 | 4,480 | 5,480 | +22% |
| West Virginia | $28,700 | $35,800 | $43,800 | $53,000 | $60,300 | 2,010 | 2,510 | +25% |
| Wisconsin | $40,900 | $46,300 | $53,900 | $61,000 | $71,200 | 4,650 | 5,770 | +24% |
| Wyoming | $40,200 | $45,200 | $53,100 | $61,100 | $73,000 | 420 | 520 | +25% |
