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New York Health Careers

Radiologic Technologists and Technicians

What Do Radiologic Technologists and Technicians Do?

Radiologic technologists and technicians perform diagnostic imaging examinations. Radiologic technologists use imaging modalities such as computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and mammography, while radiologic technicians perform imaging examinations like x-rays.

Radiologic technologists perform more complex imaging procedures. When performing fluoroscopies, for example, radiologic technologists prepare a solution for the patient to drink, allowing the radiologist (a physician who interprets radiographs) to see and examine soft tissues in the body.

Some radiologic technologists specialize in computed tomography (CT), as CT technologists. CT scans produce a substantial amount of cross-sectional x-rays of an area of the body from which a 3-dimensional image is made. Radiologic technologists also can specialize in MRIs, as MRI technologists. MRI, like CT, produces multiple cross-sectional images to create a 3-dimensional image. Unlike CT and x-rays, MRI uses non-ionizing radio frequency to generate image contrast. Radiologic technologists might also specialize in mammography.

Radiologic technologists who perform imaging examinations are responsible for accurately positioning patients and ensuring that a quality image is produced. They work closely with radiologists, the physicians who interpret medical images to either diagnose or rule out disease or injury.

Radiologic technicians, sometimes referred to as radiographers, produce x-ray films (radiographs) of parts of the human body for use in diagnosing medical problems. They prepare patients for radiologic examinations and position patients so that the parts of the body can be appropriately radiographed. They also position radiographic equipment at the correct angle and height over the appropriate area of a patient’s body.

Radiologic technologists and technicians must follow physicians’ orders precisely and conform to regulations concerning the use of radiation to protect themselves, their patients, and their coworkers from unnecessary exposure.

In addition to preparing patients and operating equipment, radiologic technologists and technicians keep patient records and adjust and maintain equipment. They also may prepare work schedules, evaluate purchases of equipment, or manage a radiology department.

For more information about radiologic technologists, go to: http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/radiologic-technologists.htm.

Where Do Radiologic Technologists and Technicians Work?

Most radiologic technologists and technicians work in hospitals, although increasing numbers work in physicians’ offices and diagnostic imaging centers.

How Much Do Radiologic Technologists and Technicians Earn?

In 2022, the average annual income reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) for radiologic technologists and technicians in the United States was $70,240. The New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL) reports that, in 2023, radiologic technologists and technicians in New York earned a median annual salary of $83,351 (radiologic technologists and technicians in the 25th percentile made approximately $64,026 while those in the 75th percentile made approximately $94,465).

Supply and Demand

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the number of jobs for radiologic and MRI technologists in the U.S. will increase by 6% between 2021 and 2031. The New York State Department of Labor projects that the number of jobs for radiologic technologists in the state will increase by 16% between 2020 and 2030.

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. The aging of the population combined with increased availability and use of new and improved imaging technologies are expected to drive demand for radiologic technologists and technicians. An aging population is likely to have a higher incidence of illness and injury requiring diagnosis through imaging. In addition, diagnostic imaging is being used more and more to monitor the progress of disease and chronic illness treatment.

For projections of radiologic technologists by New York State labor regions, 2018-2028, click here.

Educational Requirements

Formal training programs in radiography lead to a certificate, an associate degree, or a bachelor’s degree. An associate degree is the most prevalent form of educational attainment among radiologic technologists and technicians.

Programs in radiography typically provide both clinical training and classroom instruction, with courses in anatomy and physiology, patient care procedures, radiation physics, radiation protection, principles of imaging, medical terminology, positioning of patients, medical ethics, radiobiology, and pathology.

Radiologic technologists may attend accredited programs in a variety of settings, including at hospitals, community colleges, and four-year colleges. The majority of radiologic technology education programs are two years in length.

The New York State Department of Health has a list of 2 year and 4 year Schools, Colleges, and Programs for radiologic technician training on their website: https://www.health.ny.gov/professionals/doctors/radiological/schlist2.htm.

New York Licensure Requirements

To be licensed in New York, radiologic technologists must successfully complete an accredited radiologic technology education program and pass the radiography examination administered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (https://www.arrt.org). For more information on New York’s requirements, go to: https://www.health.ny.gov/professionals/doctors/radiological/.

Financial Support

Many colleges and some radiologic associations, including the ASRT Foundation, offer scholarships or financial aid for individuals pursuing radiologic technology degrees.

Additional scholarships from industry groups are listed here.
The Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging has grants, awards, and scholarships that can be found here.

Education Programs in New York (subject to change)

For a complete list of general radiologic technology programs in New York, including those taught through hospitals, please go to:
www.health.ny.gov/professionals/doctors/radiological/schlist2.htm and for more information about some radiologic programs in New York that may accept foreign-trained students, go to: www.health.ny.gov/professionals/doctors/radiological/forgrad.htm

New York Colleges with Radiologic Technology Education Programs

Bronx Community College
2155 University Avenue
Bronx, NY 10453
(718) 289-5100
Broome Community College
907 Front Street
Binghamton, NY 13905
(607) 778-5070
Fulton-Montgomery Community College
2805 State Highway 67
Johnstown, NY 12095
(518) 762-3522
Hostos Community College
500 Grand Concourse
Bronx, NY 10451
(718) 518-4123
Hudson Valley Community College
80 Vandenburgh Avenue
Troy, NY 12180
(518) 629-7123
LaGuardia Community College
31-10 Thomson Avenue
Long Island City, NY 11101
(718) 482-5597
Monroe Community College
Brighton Campus
1000 East Henrietta Road
Rochester, NY 14623
(585) 292-2379
Nassau Community College
One Education Drive
Garden City, NY 11530
(516) 572-9640
New York City College of Technology
300 Jay Street
Brooklyn, NY 11201
(718) 260-5360
Niagara County Community College
3111 Saunders Settlement Road
Sanborn, NY 14132
(716) 614-6222
North Country Community College
23 Santanoni Avenue
Saranac Lake, NY 12983
(518) 891-2915
SUNY Orange
115 South Street
Middletown, NY 10940
(845) 341-4277
St. John’s University
College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
8000 Utopia Parkway
Queens, NY 11439
(718) 990-2000
Trocaire College
360 Choate Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14220
(716) 827-2443 or (716) 826-1200
Westchester Community College
75 Grasslands Road
Valhalla, NY 10595
(914) 606-6882
Alfred State College
10 Upper College Dr
Alfred, NY 14802
(800) 425-3733
Long Island University
C.W. Post Campus

720 Northern Boulevard
Brookville, NY 11548-1300
(516) 299-3075
Upstate Medical University
State University of New York
3416 University Hospital
750 E. Adams Street
Syracuse, NY 13210
(315) 464-5189
Mohawk Valley Community College
1101 Sherman Drive
Utica, NY 13501
(315) 792-5400
Hunter Business School
3601 Hempstead Tpke
Levittown, NY  11756
(516) 796-1000
Manhattanville
2900 Purchase St.
Purchase, NY 10577
(914) 694-2200
Stony Brook School of Health Professions
101 Nicolls Rd.
Stony Brook, NY 11794
(631) 444-2252
Western Suffolk BOCES
Wilson Tech Center
Northport Campus
152 Laurel Hill Rd
Northport, NY 11768
(631) 261-3600, ext. 244
The University of Vermont Health Network
Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital
75 Beekman Street
Plattsburgh, NY 12901
(518) 561-2000
Arnot Ogden Medical Center
600 Roe Ave.
Elmira, NY 14905
(607) 737-7797
Bellevue Hospital Center
462 First Avenue
New York, NY 10016
(212) 562-4895
Center for Allied Health Education
1401 Kings Highway
Brooklyn, NY 11229
(855) 645-3500
Touro University
506 Lenox Avenue
New York, NY 10037
(212) 939-3479
Mount Sanai South Nassau
One Healthy Way
Oceanside, NY 11572
(516) 632-3000
UPMC Chautauqua
207 Foote Ave.
P.O. Box 840
Jamestown, NY 14702
(716) 664-8366
Peconic Bay Medical Center
1 Heroes Way
Riverhead, NY 11901
(631) 548-6000

Additional Web Links

For more information about radiologic technologists and technicians go to:

The American Society of Radiologic Technologists at: https://www.asrt.org:/

The New York State Radiological Society: http://www.nysrs.org/

and http://www.radiologyschools411.com/ .

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