Become a radiologic technologist with an associate degree
Two years of community college for a licensed imaging career, with CT and MRI cross-training available afterward at a meaningful pay bump.
The numbers
- Timeline
- 2 years
- Entry pay
- $54k–$66k
- Experienced pay
- $78k–$105k with CT, MRI or interventional cross-training
- Training cost
- $6,000–$22,000 at a community college
- Credential
- ARRT registration plus state license
The path, phase by phase
Phase 1
Work in patient transport or as a radiology aide
Hospital entry roles get you inside the department, and many systems offer tuition support after 90 days.
Phase 2
Finish a JRCERT-accredited program
Two years of coursework and clinicals, then pass the ARRT registry exam for your license.
Phase 3
Cross-train into CT, MRI or interventional
Each added modality raises pay. Interventional and MRI techs are the highest-paid and most requested for travel contracts.
Skills that get you hired
- Patient positioning and anatomy
- Radiation safety and ALARA
- Equipment operation and exposure settings
- PACS and imaging workflow
- Patient communication under pressure
AI impact
Low. AI reads images; technologists position patients, run equipment and manage safety.
Strong markets
Questions people ask
- Do rad techs need a bachelor's degree?
- No. An accredited associate degree plus ARRT registration is the standard requirement nationwide.
- Which imaging modality pays the most?
- Interventional radiology and MRI typically pay the most, followed by CT. Cross-training is usually done on the job.