Radiologist vs Radiologic Technologist: Which Pays More?
Side-by-side salary comparison by city, experience level, and career growth outlook. Data reflects current market rates.
Radiologist
Interpret medical imaging to diagnose diseases and conditions.
Radiologic Technologist
Perform medical imaging examinations including X-ray, CT, and MRI scans.
Radiologist earns more on average — the national median is $343,913/year (447%) higher than a Radiologic Technologist. However, salaries vary significantly by city, employer, and experience level — see the city-by-city breakdown below.
Radiologist vs Radiologic Technologist — Salary by City
National median figures in USD across top cities.
| City | Radiologist | Radiologic Technologist | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $625,004 | $110,173 | Radiologist +$514,831 |
| New York, NY | $495,526 | $94,043 | Radiologist +$401,483 |
| Seattle, WA | $591,340 | $111,571 | Radiologist +$479,769 |
| Austin, TX | $479,213 | $87,956 | Radiologist +$391,257 |
| Chicago, IL | $447,493 | $82,391 | Radiologist +$365,102 |
| Boston, MA | $548,748 | $99,691 | Radiologist +$449,057 |
| London, UK | £240,697 | £61,773 | Radiologist +$178,924 |
| Toronto, Canada | CA$419,395 | CA$100,307 | Radiologist +$319,088 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Radiologist or Radiologic Technologist earn more?+
A Radiologist earns more on average. The national median salary for a Radiologist is $420,860/year, compared to $76,947/year for a Radiologic Technologist — a difference of $343,913 (447%).
Which has better career growth — Radiologist or Radiologic Technologist?+
Radiologist roles are growing at 10% YoY while Radiologic Technologist demand is growing at 6% YoY. Radiologist has stronger near-term demand growth.
Can you switch from Radiologist to Radiologic Technologist?+
Yes. Many professionals transition between these roles, especially since both are in the same category. Shared skills include: MRI, CT Scan.
Which is harder to automate — Radiologist or Radiologic Technologist?+
Radiologic Technologist has a lower AI automation risk (30% vs 42%). Based on Oxford Martin School and McKinsey 2023 analysis.