What it is
Radiologic and medical imaging technology prepares technologists to produce medical images — X-ray, CT, MRI, mammography, and more — that physicians use to diagnose and treat disease. It's a solid allied-health career reachable with an associate degree, with room to advance via specialized modalities.
What you'll study
The program is clinical and technical:
- Year 1Anatomy, physiology, and imaging physics
- Year 2Patient positioning, radiation safety, and clinical practice
- ClinicalSupervised imaging in healthcare settings
- CertificationGraduates earn ARRT certification
Concentrations & focus areas
- Radiography (X-ray)General imaging
- CT (Computed Tomography)Cross-sectional
- MRIMagnetic imaging
- MammographyBreast imaging
- Interventional / CardiacProcedures
- Sonography (adjacent)Ultrasound
Skills you'll build
- Imaging techniqueProducing quality images
- Patient carePositioning & comfort
- PrecisionAccuracy
- Radiation safetyProtecting patients
- TechnologyAdvanced equipment
Careers & job titles
- Radiologic technologistThe core role (~$73,410)
- CT / MRI technologistAdvanced modalities (higher pay)
- MammographerBreast imaging
- Interventional / cardiac techProcedures
- Lead / chief technologistWith experience
- Imaging supervisorManagement
Job outlook & demand
The BLS projects radiologic technologists to grow faster than average, driven by imaging demand and an aging population. Advancing into CT, MRI, and interventional modalities raises pay.
Pay: median, range & trajectory
Per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, radiologic technologists had a median wage around $73,410 — higher for MRI and specialized modalities. Adding certifications in advanced modalities is the clearest route to higher pay.
Degree levels it's offered at
Offered across these levels — click a level to learn about it:
An associate degree is the standard entry (some pursue a bachelor's), plus ARRT certification; adding modalities (CT, MRI) advances the career.
Is it right for you?
You might thrive here if you like technology and patient care, want a shorter path into healthcare, and are willing to add modalities to advance.
Path up: start in radiography, then cross-train into CT, MRI, or interventional imaging for higher pay.
Explore further
Keep exploring:
Key facts
- DegreeAssociate (some bachelor's)
- FocusProducing medical images (X-ray, CT, MRI)
- CertificationARRT
- OutlookFaster than average (BLS)
- Pay~$73,410 median (BLS); more with modalities
Where to learn more
Authoritative sources for careers and pay: