The demand for healthcare professionals, including those specializing in medical imaging, continues to rise. As the aging baby boomer population grows, there is an increasing need for diagnostic imaging procedures, alongside a demand for new providers to fill positions vacated by retiring workers. This ongoing expansion in medical imaging careers presents excellent opportunities for individuals pursuing, or who have already completed, a two-year degree in the field.
Selecting the right medical imaging specialty can be challenging. It’s important to consider your personal interests, skill level, available educational programs, and the options accessible in your area. Additionally, factors like income potential and job growth prospects should be part of your decision-making process. Below, we will break down the salaries of the top-paying medical imaging careers, along with employment growth rates, job descriptions, and educational requirements. Keep in mind that local conditions and opportunities may vary.
Top Paying Careers in Medical Imaging
Here are the top 5 paying medical imaging careers nationwide, ranked from highest to lowest:
| Specialty | Median Annual Salary | Job Growth Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Radiation Therapist | $98,300 | 3% |
| Nuclear Medicine Technologist | $92,500 | -1% |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $84,470 | 15% |
| MRI Technologist | $83,740 | 7% |
| Cardiovascular Technologist | $66,170 | 4% |
Salary data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The most recent figures are from May, 2023. Salary and employment figures are based on a national average and may vary by location.
Explore the Medical Imaging Career Paths
Numerous modalities have arisen or become more prevalent over the last few decades as a result of new technologies and discoveries. There are now many specialties within medical imaging to work towards, including these high paying careers:
Radiation Therapist
Radiation therapists, who work closely with radiologists, can prescribe and administer radiation therapy, often for the treatment of cancer. The radiation therapist is part of a team that works to treat and ultimately cure a patient’s disease. Due to the nature of the disease, the radiation therapist often helps comfort and reassure the patient. A warm “bedside manner” is critical to the successful implementation of the treatment.
- Educational Requirement: minimum Associate degree, Bachelor’s often preferred
- Median annual salary: $98,300/year, $47.26 per hour
- Job growth: 3% increase by 2033
Nuclear Medicine Technologist
The nuclear medicine tech, working closely with a supervising physician, administers radioactive compounds, called radiopharmaceuticals. Responsibilities include performing and analyzing imaging procedures using radiation-detecting equipment, which the physician then uses for diagnostic purposes. Excellent communication skills and attention to detail are critical, as is a strong foundation in math.
- Educational requirement: minimum Associate Degree, some require Bachelor’s Degree
- Median annual salary: $92,500/year, $44.47 per hour (BLS, 2023)
- Job growth: -1% by 2033
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
Diagnostic medical sonographers, also known as ultrasound technicians, use devices that emit high frequency sound waves to produce images of unborn fetuses, internal organs, tissues, and muscles. The use of ultrasound as a diagnostic and/or source of treatment has increased dramatically, and the demand for ultrasound technicians has risen as well.
- Educational requirement: Associate degree
- Median annual salary: $84,470/year, $40.61 per hour
- Job outlook: 15% by 2033
Most ultrasound technicians work in a hospital setting where workdays may include 12 hour shifts. Ultrasound techs, as with most of the other medical imaging specialists, must be capable of active physical exertion and able to lift up to 80 pounds. There are also varying career paths available to sonographers beyond direct patient-care.
You can see it pays well, but is a career as a sonographer right for you? Take our self assessment and find out!
MRI / Radiologic Technologist
MRI and radiologic technologists use imaging equipment that utilizes a magnetic field and radio waves to create images of the inside of a patient’s body. The large tubes that patients are placed in for an MRI are confining and loud, which can create anxiety and claustrophobia in the patient. Therefore, the technologist is often required to listen to the patient’s concerns and fears and reassure them.
- Educational requirement: Associates degree
- Median annual salary for MRI techs: $83,740/year, $40.26 per hour
- Median annual salary for Rad techs: $73,410/year, $35.29 per hour
- Job outlook: 7% by 2033
Cardiovascular Technologist
Cardiovascular techs can perform both invasive and non-invasive procedures on patients to help monitor and diagnose diseases related to the heart or vascular system. There are several specialties available within cardiovascular technology, including cardiology technologists, vascular technologists, and cardiac sonographers. The job duties for each may vary.
- Educational requirement: Associates degree
- Median annual salary: $66,170/year, $31.81 per hour
- Job Growth: 3% increase by 2033
Note that pre-requisites for some of the above credentials may require more extensive professional experience and/or CMEs than others in the list (and than those that did not make the top five).
The Importance of Accreditation
Regardless of which medical imaging specialty you choose to pursue, it’s important that you attend a school that’s been accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Accreditation is the process by which an independent body reviews and attests to the quality of the education that a school or program provides.
In addition, becoming certified and maintaining that certification through continued medical education (CME) courses is an important part of the education process. CMEs are often preferred or required by prospective employers. Here are the primary certification organizations for each specialty that we discussed:
- Radiation therapists: ARRT
- Nuclear medicine technologist: NMTCB
- Diagnostic medical sonographers: ARDMS
- MRI/Radiologic technologists: ARMRIT or ARRT
- Cardiovascular technologists: CCI
Of course, income for medical imaging careers depends on numerous factors, such as geographic location, employer or type of workplace and level of experience. It’s important to research career opportunities in your prospective local area to get a better financial picture.
