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X-Ray Technician Schools

X-Ray Technician Schools

Guide to Campus & Online X-Ray Technician Schools

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More Answers From X-Ray Technicians

How Much Does an X Ray Tech Make An Hour?
What Degree Is Needed To Become An X Ray Tech?
What Is X Ray Tech School Like, And What Is The Best Part?
What Are The Hardest X Ray Tech Classes?
Which X Ray Tech Degree Is Better, Associates or Bachelors?
Can You Attend X Ray Tech School Online?
How To Become An X Ray Tech
What You Should Know Before Becoming An X Ray Tech
Are You Happy With Your Choice To Be An X Ray Tech?
What Are X Ray Tech Career Options?
What’s The Difference: X Ray Technician vs. Technologist vs. Radiologic Tech
What Does An X Ray Tech Do On An Average Workday?
What Are The Highest X Ray Tech Salary Jobs?
How Do X Ray Techs Get Paid, Hourly, Salary, or Performance?
What Does An X Ray Tech Do?
What Are The Duties of an X Ray Tech?
What Do You Love About Being An X-Ray Tech?

5 Steps to Become an X Ray Tech

Step 1

Earn a high school diploma or GED

Step 2

Earn an Associates or Bachelors Degree in Radiologic Technology

Step 3

Pass the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) Certification Exam

Step 4

Earn State Licensure, if required, by your state’s health board.

Step 5

Seek employment. Salary range, $46,850 – $94,880 (BLS 2021).

Best Online X-Ray Technician Programs

X Ray Tech programs include certificate, associates, and bachelors degree programs. For students interested in pursuing an online x-ray tech degree program, the following accredited schools offer such options:

Quotes About X Ray Tech Schools

You are required to do so many competencies performed in mandatory exams [chest x-ray, abdomen x-ray, forearm, femur] … you’re required to have so many electives [sternum, scapular x-ray, facial bones]
Jennifer C. Radiologic Technologist 10 Years Experience
The pathology [classes] were fascinating but tough … I think my favorite class was the physics class. I just loved learning about radiation and how it works, and x-ray photons, its just fascinating.
Farrel C. Radiologic Technologist / Mammography 2 Years Experience
“[Regarding online x ray tech schools] … there are a number of certificate, associates and bachelors programs that do offer a distance learning path and then you just do your clinical training at whatever the specified clinical site is…
Jenna L. Professor of Sonography 10 Years Experience

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Degree Information

 

How To Become An X Ray Tech

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View Other Answers to Questions

  • What Degree Is Needed To Become An X Ray Tech?
  • What Is X Ray Tech School Like, And What Is The Best Part?
  • What Are The Hardest X Ray Tech Classes?
  • Which X Ray Tech Degree Is Better, Associates or Bachelors?
  • X-Ray Technician Degree Facts

    Median Salary

    $61,980 per year

    Hourly Rate

    $29.80 / hr.

    Range

    $59,110 – $100,870

    Job Growth (Proj.):

    12.3% Per Year

    X-Ray Technician Degree Types

    Certified x-ray technicians can choose from degree programs at the certificate, associates, and bachelors degree levels, with the most common is an associates degree. Regardless of degree level, coursework typically consists of both classroom and laboratory (hands on) instruction, on subjects such as anatomy, patient positioning, managing radiation exposure and equipment, infection control, radiation pathology, and medical terminology.

    Types of Campus & Online X-Ray Technician Degrees

    X Ray Tech Associates Degree Information

    Associates

    Learn about associates level degrees that prepare you to become an x-ray technician. 

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    X Ray Tech Bachelors Degree Information

    Bachelors

    Read curriculum and career information for bachelors x-ray tech programs.

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    X Ray Tech Masters Degree Information

    Masters

    Explore admissions, and career info for masters x-ray technician related programs.

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    X Ray Tech Certificate Program Information

    Certificates

    See salary, career & admissions requirements for certificate x-ray technician programs.

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    Quotes About X Ray Tech Degrees

    The AART have now changed the requirements where you now have to have an associates degree to take the registry board [exam]… In addition to that, I’m required to do continuing education credits.
    Jennifer C. Radiologic Technologist 10 Years Experience
    Everyone is starting to kind of gravitate towards the bachelors, needing bachelors degrees, but you can have an associates. If you’re going to continue on and get other modalities [CT, MRI, mammography, nuclear medicine, ultrasound, or radiation therapy]  … most of them want you to have the bachelors.
    Farrel C. Radiologic Technologist / Mammography 2 Years Experience
    The associates program is a 2 year program. Bachelors is a 4 year program.”… “As long as it’s from an accredited program… “it just depends on how much education you want and what you plan to do long term. If you someday want be a lead technologist or maybe a supervisor then you want at least a minimum of your associates and work towards that bachelors.
    Jenna L. Professor of Sonography 10 Years Experience

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    Career Information

     

    What Does An X Ray Tech Do?

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    View Other Answers to Questions

  • What You Should Know Before Becoming An X Ray Tech
  • Are You Happy With Your Choice To Be An X Ray Tech?
  • What Are X Ray Tech Career Options?
  • What’s The Difference: X Ray Technician vs. Technologist vs. Radiologic Tech
  • X-Ray Technician Career Facts

    Median Salary

    $61,980 per year

    Hourly Rate

    $29.80 / hr.

    Range

    $59,110 – $100,870

    Job Growth (Proj.):

    6% Per Year

    X-Ray Technician Career Information

    Education

    Often referred to as radiologic technologists, to become an x-ray tech you are required to have an associate’s degree in radiologic technology, or increasingly, many employers require a bachelor’s degree in radiologic technology, medical administration or leadership or a related field, particularly for leadership or teaching positions. Specialized certifications are typically required for advanced equipment positions such as MRI, Mammography, CT, Nuclear Medicine and Ultrasound Technologist positions.

    For entry level positions, students will learn skills in their associate or bachelors program such as; x-ray positioning, preventing radiation exposure, radiologic and other medical terminology, patient care and positioning, radiographic physics and biology. Additionally, many employers like to hire from x-ray technician degree programs which include clinical training opportunities, where students receive hands-on training under the supervision of experienced x-ray technicians.

    Licensing

    X-ray technician licensing requirements vary by state. In most states, however, x-ray technicians, like other radiologic professionals, must be licensed by their state. To become a licensed x-ray technologist, many states will require graduation from a training program accredited by the Joint Review Committee On Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). 

    XRay Tech Career Outlook 2023

    Certification

    The most common x-ray technician certification is the Registered Technologist (RT) credential, awarded by The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT).  The overwhelming majority of states accept ARRT results for licensing purposes, whereas some states administer their own certification exam. AART certification requires the passage of a 220 question, 4 hour exam.  To qualify to take the ARRT exam, it is now required that students have already completed a bachelors or associates in radiologic technology.

    Continuing Education

    To maintain your x-ray tech certification and licensing, most states and certifying bodies require the completion of semi-annual (every 2 years) continuing education hours or the completion of an exam.

    Advanced Certification

    For x-ray technicians, career advancement opportunities typically require a bachelors degree in radiologic technology or seniority. An advanced certification, typically from ARRT, in a radiologic technology specialty, is typically required to specialize in specific diagnostic equipment such as a CT scanner, Mammography, MRI machine or Ultrasound. Generally speaking, these advanced radiologic tech certifications must be also maintained via semi-annual continuing education requirements.

    Quotes About X Ray Tech Careers

    Not to sound like morbid or anything, but sometimes when you see, like, a crazy fracture, you’re like, “Oh my god, jeez”, you know? … Or if I say to like a little kid, I love to be like, “You want to come over, you want to see the picture. Do you see your bones?” I just think it’s so cool.
    Jennifer C. Radiologic Technologist 10 Years Experience
    The best part of being an [x-ray tech] is if you do happen to find something. A breast cancer in a patient, finding it early and having them beat something that could basically end in a really bad way… And the second best part for me is just a big nerd and I really like educating people about what I do, even if they are big nerds also will get into the physics of stuff too.
    Farrel C. Radiologic Technologist / Mammography 2 Years Experience
    As a radiologic technologist the primary role is taking diagnostic medical images for our patient. So we’re going to check that the diagnosis matches the patients symptoms… and take an x-ray of the body to help treat that patient … do a lot of patient care … a lot of procedure type exams where contrast is administered …  communication with our nurses on the floor.
    Jenna L. Professor of Sonography 10 Years Experience

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    Salary Information

     

    How Much Does an X Ray Tech Make An Hour?

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    View Other Answers to Questions

  • What Are The Highest X Ray Tech Salary Jobs?
  • How Do X Ray Techs Get Paid, Hourly, Salary, or Performance?
  • What Do You Love About Being An X-Ray Tech?
  • X-Ray Technician Salary Facts

    Median Salary

    $61,980 per year

    Hourly Rate

    $29.80 / hr.

    Range

    $59,110 – $100,870

    Job Growth (Proj.):

    6% Per Year

    X-Ray Technician Salary & Job Information

    Salary Statistics

    X-ray technicians earned a median annual salary of $61,980 in 2021. Hourly, that comes out to $29.80 per hour. The highest paid 10% of x-ray technicians earned over $100,870, whereas the lowest paid 10% earned $59,110. That translates to an hourly pay range of $28.42 to $48.50 for the lowest and highest 10% respectively. (source: BLS.gov – 2021) 

    Related Career Salary Statistics

    Within the radiography tech field more generally, salary differences between jobs largely reflect the credentials required to obtain the position and whether it is a leadership position.

    Position Title and Annual Salary:

    • X Ray Technician – $50,257
    • X Ray Technologist – $60,290
    • MRI Technologist – $76,983
    • CT Technologist – $78,836
    • Mammographer – $78,836
    • Ultrasound Technologist – $86,787
    • Chief X-Ray Technologist – $89,548
    Highest Paying Salaries in Radiology Technician Careers

    Career Prospects

    There are 222,800 x-ray technicians and radiologic technologists working in the US. The field is expected to grow by 6% per year, which is about average, over the next decade, and translates to an additional 14,100 jobs in the field per year. (source: BLS.gov – 2021)

    Job Title

    The proper title for an X-ray Techs is Radiologic Technologist. Commonly, however, the position is referred to as; Rad Techs or X Ray Technologists, or X Ray Technician. X Ray Tech’s who focus on specialized equipment are commonly referred to as; MRI Tech, Ultrasound Tech, CT Tech, Nuclear Medicine Tech, and so on.

    Job Duties

    At a high level, X-Ray Technicians perform imaging examinations on patients for diagnostic healthcare purposes. More specifically, an x-ray technician’s job description might include: preparing a patient for x-rays by explaining the procedure, adjusting the x-ray equipment, shielding exposed areas of the patient, and positioning the patient. Due to the nature of the career, from long periods of standing on their feet, to having to maneuver patients, becoming an x-ray technician can be considered a physically demanding but highly rewarding career.

    Quotes About X Ray Tech Salary

    As a full-time tech I started at $24.00 per hour, I’m now almost $14.00 more [$38 per hour]… Definitely a larger healthcare systems are going to pay more… and hospitals are going to pay more than an outpatient center.
    Jennifer C. Radiologic Technologist 10 Years Experience
    I started at $24.00 per hour, and have gotten raises at both places. …  sometimes you might get a bonus from your company… lead technologist roles might get a salary, but most people work off an hourly wage.
    Farrel C. Radiologic Technologist / Mammography 2 Years Experience
    …on average [starting out] you make somewhere around $40-55k per year, which equates to $30 to 40 per hour…. [Hospitals] usually all offer shift differential as well, so your pay is going to be higher if you work overnight or weekends…
    Jenna L. Professor of Sonography 10 Years Experience

    Gallery

    Use our royalty free gallery of oil paintings of X Ray Technicians and Radiologic Technologists at work:

    Rad Tech showing x-ray to patient
    XRay Tech placing x-ray in hospital
    x ray technician adjusting settings before taking an x-ray at work.
    Two x ray techs examining a chest x-ray.
    Ultrasound Tech performing an ultrasound in a hospital
    Mammographer examining a patient in hospital.
    Use Images Royalty Free With Credit To: X-RayTechnicianSchools.com

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