Skip to content
Boston Career Explorer

Healthcare Practitioners and Technical

Radiologic Technologists and Technicians

Take x-rays and CAT scans or administer nonradioactive materials into patient's bloodstream for diagnostic or research purposes. Includes radiologic technologists and technicians who specialize in other scanning modalities.

Also called: CT Tech (Computed Tomography Technologist), Mammographer, Multimodality Technologist, Radiographer, Radiologic Technician (RAD Tech), Radiology Technician (Radiology Tech)

Compare with my current job (Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education)
Median pay in Greater Boston
$104,590
$50.28/hr
Jobs in Greater Boston
4,100
Massachusetts 2024–2034
+0.6%
270 openings a year
Typical U.S. entry requirement
Associate's degree

Greater Boston: Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area, May 2025. Growth and openings: Massachusetts statewide projection.

Pay range in Greater Boston

Yearly pay in Greater Boston by percentile
10th25thMedian75th90th
$78,650$84,780$104,590$126,390$133,300

10% of workers earn less than the first figure and 10% earn more than the last.

What you’d do

  • Explain procedures and observe patients to ensure safety and comfort during scan.
  • Process exposed radiographs using film processors or computer generated methods.
  • Perform procedures, such as linear tomography, mammography, sonograms, joint and cyst aspirations, routine contrast studies, routine fluoroscopy, or examinations of the head, trunk, or extremities under supervision of physician.
  • Record, process, and maintain patient data or treatment records and prepare reports.
  • Prepare contrast material, radiopharmaceuticals, or anesthetic or antispasmodic drugs under the direction of a radiologist.
  • Complete quality control activities, monitor equipment operation, and report malfunctioning equipment to supervisor.

AI and this job

AI exposure: how much of this job’s work AI tools can do or help with, based on national research. It is not a forecast of job loss.

Moderate exposure38 of 100

The index averages three national research measures, each shown as a percentile of all jobs:

  • AIOE 31
  • Language-model AIOE 35
  • GPTs-are-GPTs 47

Observed AI use today: Little or none (Anthropic Economic Index)

AI tools may help with processing images and keeping patient records, which are computer-based tasks in this job. Observed AI use is little or none so far. Explaining procedures, positioning and watching patients, and preparing materials under a radiologist's direction still rely on people.

Likely to change

  • Processing and enhancing exposed images
  • Recording patient data and preparing reports

Still relies on people

  • Explaining procedures and calming patients
  • Preparing contrast material under a radiologist

Written with AI from the data on this page. Check with a career coach before making a decision.

Next steps from here

Related jobs that build on what you already do.

  • Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers

    Safety practices and regular equipment checks carry over. This move offers higher Boston pay and faster expected growth, with long-term on-the-job training.

    Pay difference
    +$6,900 median
    AI exposure
    Lower
    MA growth
    +13.3%
    To get started
    High school diploma or equivalent

  • Structural Iron and Steel Workers

    Working carefully with precise equipment and specifications carries over. This move offers higher Boston pay and is learned through an apprenticeship.

    Pay difference
    +$16,250 median
    AI exposure
    Lower
    MA growth
    +6.1%
    To get started
    High school diploma or equivalent

  • Glaziers

    Following detailed specifications and measuring accurately carry over. This move offers slightly higher Boston pay and is learned through an apprenticeship.

    Pay difference
    +$3,020 median
    AI exposure
    Lower
    MA growth
    +4.9%
    To get started
    High school diploma or equivalent

Training near Boston

College and school programs in the Boston metro area that lead to this job, with 2023-24 completions (IPEDS).

16 programs near Boston (plus 1 graduate)

Related occupations

Talk to a career coach

A coach at the Office of Workforce Development can help you plan your next step, and connect you with training, apprenticeships and City partner programs that are not listed here.

Talk to a career coach