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Rad Tech I Salary in the United States

How much does a Rad Tech I make in the United States?

As of June 01, 2026, the average salary for a Rad Tech I in the United States is $56,000 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $27.

However, a Rad Tech I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $60,012
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $49,200 to $58,100
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $43,009
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View as table View as graph 25% $49,200 10% $43,009 90% $60,012 75% $58,100 $56,000 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Rad Tech I Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $58,100 $4,842 $1,117 $28
Average $56,000 $4,667 $1,077 $27
25th Percentile $49,200 $4,100 $946 $24
Check out Rad Tech I Job Openings in the United States
Rad Tech

Fusion Medical Staffing - Dublin, OH

Rad Tech

Fusion Medical Staffing - Cincinnati, OH

Rad Tech

Cure Healthcare Staffing - Columbus, OH

Rad Tech

Meda Health - Columbus, OH

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Key Factors That Influence Rad Tech I Salaries

A Rad Tech I's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Rad Tech Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Rad Tech I's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Rad Tech I (0-1 years): $55,949
  • Radiographer II (1-3 years): $61,586
  • Rad Tech III (3-5 years): $82,018
  • Head Radiologic Technologist (5+ years): $96,390
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Rad Tech I0-1 years$55,949
Radiographer II1-3 years$61,586
Rad Tech III3-5 years$82,018
Head Radiologic Technologist5+ years$96,390
$55,949 Rad Tech ...
$61,586 Radiograp...
$82,018 Rad Tech ...
$96,390 Head Radi...
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Rad Tech Is

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $70,600
  • San Francisco: $69,800
  • Oakland: $68,400

What Skills Can Increase a Rad Tech I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 3.32% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • Radiation Safety (Mentioned in 3.09% Job Postings): Establishing and maintaining safety standards in handling radioactive materials to reduce unnecessary and harmful effects of radiation exposure.
  • Patient Safety (Mentioned in 1.86% Job Postings): Patient safety is a discipline and responsibility that emphasizes safety in health care through the prevention, reduction, reporting, and analysis of medical error that often leads to adverse effects. The frequency and magnitude of avoidable adverse events experienced by patients was not well known until the 1990s, when multiple countries reported staggering numbers of patients harmed and killed by medical errors. Recognizing that healthcare errors impact 1 in every 10 patients around the world, the World Health Organization calls patient safety an endemic concern. Indeed, patient safety has emerged as a distinct healthcare discipline supported by an immature yet developing scientific framework. There is a significant transdisciplinary body of theoretical and research literature that informs the science of patient safety. At the same time, efforts are being made to anchor patient safety more firmly in medical education. The resulting patient safety knowledge continually informs improvement efforts such as: applying lessons learned from business and industry, adopting innovative technologies, educating providers and consumers, enhancing error reporting systems, and developing new economic incentives.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 3.32%
Radiation Safety 3.09%
Patient Safety 1.86%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Rad Tech I's salary.
  • MRI: Can increase your salary by up to 16%.
  • Innovation: Can increase your salary by up to 14%.
  • Diagnostic Radiology: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
MRI
$64,960
16%
Innovation
$63,840
14%
Diagnostic Radiology
$62,160
11%
Commitment
$62,160
11%
Dedication
$61,040
9%
Collaboration
$60,480
8%
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Rad Tech I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Rad Tech I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $59,476. While startup companies pay approximate $50,657.

Rad Tech I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup1~50$50,657
Growth Stage51~500$53,481
Established501~5000$57,534
Enterprise5000+$59,476

Rad Tech I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Rad Tech I's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on June 01, 2026

Rad Tech I Salary Growth & Career Path

For a Rad Tech I, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Radiographer II role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $61,600 - a projected growth of 10% over your current level.

Salary Trends for Rad Tech I

Salaries for a Rad Tech I can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $64,815 in 2023 to around $63,771 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Rad Tech I salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Rad Tech I Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$64,815
2024
$65,429
2025
$63,771
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $64,815
2024 $65,429
2025 $63,771
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Rad Tech I

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Rad Tech I

Here are companies hiring for Rad Tech I and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Rad Tech I

1. What states pay the most for rad tech?

Radiologic technologists earn a median annual wage of $64,500, with salaries ranging from $57,900 to $72,200. While California has the highest average salary at $103,150, states like Hawaii ($92,170) and Alaska ($87,180) also offer competitive pay for rad techs, despite their smaller populations.

2. Do rad techs take blood?

Rad techs typically do not handle blood directly. In trauma situations, they may assist in the emergency room or surgery, but their primary focus is on imaging. Those performing CT scans or MRIs may start IVs, but blood work is generally outside their responsibilities. Salaries for rad techs range from $57,900 to $72,200, with a median of $64,500.

3. Can rad techs make 100k?

Radiology technicians typically earn between $57,900 and $72,200, with a mid-salary of $64,500. While some experienced rad techs in high-cost areas may approach or exceed $100,000, this is not the standard salary range for the profession overall. Factors like location and experience significantly influence earnings.

4. How much do rad techs make in the US?

Radiologic Technologists in the US typically earn between $57,900 and $72,200 annually, with a median salary of around $64,500. This range reflects variations based on experience, location, and specific job responsibilities within the field.

5. Do rad techs do 12 hour shifts?

X-Ray Radiology Technologists often work 12-hour shifts, requiring flexibility in hours and the ability to work weekends. The salary for Rad Techs typically ranges from $57,900 to $72,200, with a median salary of $64,500. Graduates from an approved JRCERT radiology program are preferred for these positions.

6. Why do rad techs make so much money?

Rad techs earn competitive salaries, with a range from $57,900 to $72,200, reflecting their specialized skills and the high demand for their services. They play a crucial role in patient care by producing high-quality images using advanced scanning technologies, which are essential for accurate diagnoses and treatment plans.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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