> Source: https://coursetojob.com/careers/radiographer/ — updated 2026-09-26 · language: en > Markdown version of this CourseToJob page for AI agents. The HTML page is canonical. Data licence CC BY 4.0: cite the page URL and the original statistical source. Health and care # Radiographer Degree usually needed Licensed profession in most countries Also known as: Radiologic technologist · Medical radiation technologist · Diagnostic radiographer · Radiation therapist Updated September 26, 2026 [How we use data](https://coursetojob.com/methodology/) Quick answer Radiographers use X-ray, CT, MRI and other imaging equipment to produce images that help doctors diagnose injury and disease, while therapeutic radiographers, also called radiation therapists, give radiotherapy to treat cancer. Many train through a degree in radiography or medical radiation science, while shorter college or vocational programmes are common in the United States and some other countries. Most work in hospitals and imaging centres. ## What does a radiographer do? - Position patients and equipment correctly to produce clear images. - Operate X-ray, CT, MRI and fluoroscopy equipment, and in some countries ultrasound. - Keep radiation doses as low as possible and protect patients and staff. - Check image quality and pass images to radiologists for reporting. - Explain procedures to patients and reassure those who are anxious or in pain. - Plan and deliver radiotherapy for cancer patients, if working in therapeutic radiography. - Take images in emergency departments, operating theatres and on wards using mobile equipment. ### Where do they work? Most radiographers work in hospital imaging departments, and they also work in emergency departments, operating theatres and on wards. Others work in private imaging centres, cancer treatment centres, breast screening services, sports clinics and research. Some work for equipment manufacturers, training hospital staff to use new machines. Because hospitals need imaging at all hours, shifts, nights, weekends and on-call duties are common. The job involves a lot of standing, moving equipment and helping patients into position. ## What skills do you need? - Knowledge of anatomy and imaging physics - Radiation safety - Operating complex technical equipment - Precision and attention to detail - Caring communication with patients - Working quickly in emergencies - Teamwork with doctors and nurses - Digital and IT skills ### Official skills profile (ESCO) Essential skills listed for this occupation in ESCO, the European Commission's multilingual classification of skills and occupations. - [apply context specific clinical competences](https://data.europa.eu/esco/skill/e18a6a3c-4f26-4141-8c72-4b4f01d77914) - [prepare patients for imaging procedures](https://data.europa.eu/esco/skill/f94ccbcc-a818-4151-82ff-9440bf59b88c) - [communicate effectively in healthcare](https://data.europa.eu/esco/skill/7110bf9f-b245-4adc-9159-5081013fd64d) - [post-process medical images](https://data.europa.eu/esco/skill/ba1f42f2-da96-40d2-b052-7f92d5889b72) - [promote inclusion](https://data.europa.eu/esco/skill/bcd2ce08-ba12-4d66-865f-f4ba36419707) - [apply radiation protection procedures](https://data.europa.eu/esco/skill/2ebf1ab5-1088-492a-96f7-51d308b75c76) - [follow clinical guidelines](https://data.europa.eu/esco/skill/76395873-7fe2-4f9a-b4b6-9932f8cbd0b4) - [operate medical imaging equipment](https://data.europa.eu/esco/skill/8d17898e-cd9c-444d-b084-8708a5447747) - [adhere to organisational code of ethics](https://data.europa.eu/esco/skill/d2564da5-c21f-4c02-8887-c78a001bb183) - [listen actively](https://data.europa.eu/esco/skill/a17286c5-238d-4f0b-bc24-29e9121345de) - [maintain imaging equipment](https://data.europa.eu/esco/skill/2f20ffb0-f701-4189-b4f4-620e9745e8a2) - [apply organisational techniques](https://data.europa.eu/esco/skill/d3eccb86-f02d-4950-bfbd-20b9510774a1) **Essential knowledge:** hygiene in a health care setting · medical oncology · medical terminology · evidence-based radiography practice · human anatomy · radiobiology · first aid · pharmaceutical products ## How do you become a radiographer? In many countries, including the UK, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, you need a bachelor's degree in diagnostic or therapeutic radiography or medical radiation science, typically three to four years, with clinical placements in hospitals. In the United States, the most common route is a two-year associate degree in radiologic technology, followed by a national certification exam, and some countries, such as Germany, use vocational training. Graduates in other sciences can sometimes take a two-year graduate-entry master's. After qualifying, you register with the national or state regulator. Specialist roles, such as MRI or reporting on images, usually need further training. 1. **Radiography degree.** A bachelor's degree in diagnostic or therapeutic radiography typically lasts three to four years and covers anatomy, imaging physics, radiation protection and patient care, with long placements in hospitals. It is the standard route in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and many other countries. You usually choose diagnostic or therapeutic radiography from the start. 2. **College programme.** In the United States and Canada, many radiologic technologists and radiation therapists train through college programmes, such as a two-year associate degree in the United States or a college diploma in Canada, followed by a national certification exam. This route is shorter, but a bachelor's degree can help later with management or specialist roles. 3. **Graduate-entry master's or apprenticeship.** If you already have a science degree, some countries, including the UK, offer two-year graduate-entry master's courses in radiography. In the UK, apprenticeships also allow imaging assistants to train as radiographers while working. These routes suit career changers who want to build on previous study or earn while they train. ### Degrees that lead to this career - **[Physics](https://coursetojob.com/subjects/physics/)** — A physics degree explores the laws that govern the universe, from particles and atoms to materials, energy and stars, using mathematics, experiments and computer models. 6 linked careers - **[Biomedical science](https://coursetojob.com/subjects/biomedical-science/)** — A biomedical science degree teaches the biology of human health and disease, and how laboratory tests help doctors diagnose and treat patients. 6 linked careers - **[Biology](https://coursetojob.com/subjects/biology/)** — A biology degree teaches how living things work, from molecules and cells to whole organisms and ecosystems. 6 linked careers [Ready to apply? Build a free CV and cover letter with our CV builder](https://coursetojob.co.uk/careers/cv-builder/) ## Do you need a licence to work as a radiographer? Radiography is a regulated profession in most countries because it involves using radiation on patients. You usually need an approved qualification and registration with a national or state regulator before you can practise. In the United States, most states require a licence, and many rely on a national certification exam. Rules about who may carry out ultrasound, MRI or image reporting differ between countries. Check the local regulator, especially if you plan to work abroad. ## How much does a radiographer earn? ### Pay in the United States - **$80,110** Median annual wage, May 2025 - **$55,980–$118,660** Range from the lowest-paid 10% to the highest-paid 10% US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, SOC 29-2034, May 2025. National estimates across all industries; excludes the self-employed. ### Earnings of Professionals around the world Most countries do not publish pay for single job titles. The International Labour Organization collects median monthly earnings for broad occupation groups instead. This career belongs to ISCO-08 major group 2, "Professionals". The table covers the whole group, which includes radiographer and many other occupations. | Country | Local currency a month | PPP$ a month | vs all employees | Year | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Netherlands](https://coursetojob.com/countries/netherlands/) | €6,217 | 8,102 | +22% | 2025 | | [Germany](https://coursetojob.com/countries/germany/) | €5,315 | 7,389 | +41% | 2022 | | [France](https://coursetojob.com/countries/france/) | €5,314 | 7,255 | +43% | 2025 | | [Switzerland](https://coursetojob.com/countries/switzerland/) | CHF 7,600 | 7,133 | +27% | 2025 | | [Ireland](https://coursetojob.com/countries/ireland/) | €6,252 | 6,917 | +56% | 2025 | | [Spain](https://coursetojob.com/countries/spain/) | €4,153 | 6,832 | +57% | 2025 | | [United States](https://coursetojob.com/countries/united-states/) | $6,673 | 6,673 | +49% | 2025 | | [Italy](https://coursetojob.com/countries/italy/) | €3,716 | 5,762 | +19% | 2025 | | [Sweden](https://coursetojob.com/countries/sweden/) | €4,398 | 5,491 | +13% | 2025 | | [United Kingdom](https://coursetojob.com/countries/united-kingdom/) | £3,501 | 4,991 | +29% | 2025 | | [Türkiye](https://coursetojob.com/countries/turkiye/) | TRY 60,000 | 3,381 | +100% | 2025 | | [South Africa](https://coursetojob.com/countries/south-africa/) | ZAR 17,000 | 2,292 | +209% | 2020 | | [Brazil](https://coursetojob.com/countries/brazil/) | R$5,000 | 1,937 | +127% | 2025 | | [India](https://coursetojob.com/countries/india/) | ₹32,000 | 1,613 | +113% | 2025 | | [Philippines](https://coursetojob.com/countries/philippines/) | ₱30,417 | 1,466 | +100% | 2024 | | [Mexico](https://coursetojob.com/countries/mexico/) | MX$14,745 | 1,304 | +68% | 2025 | | [Egypt](https://coursetojob.com/countries/egypt/) | EGP 5,000 | 719 | +10% | 2024 | | [Indonesia](https://coursetojob.com/countries/indonesia/) | IDR 2,759,817 | 537 | +23% | 2023 | | [Pakistan](https://coursetojob.com/countries/pakistan/) | PKR 34,640 | 530 | +34% | 2025 | | [Nigeria](https://coursetojob.com/countries/nigeria/) | NGN 50,000 | 188 | 0% | 2024 | Source: ILOSTAT, median monthly earnings of employees, latest year available. PPP$ adjusts for price differences between countries so figures can be compared. "vs all employees" compares the group's median with the median for all occupations in the same country. ## Career progression 1. Newly qualified or junior radiographer 2. Radiographer 3. Specialist radiographer, for example in CT or MRI 4. Advanced practitioner or reporting radiographer 5. Imaging service manager or consultant radiographer ## Job outlook Use of medical imaging keeps growing, for diagnosis, guiding treatment and cancer screening, and ageing populations add to demand. Many countries report shortages of radiographers and long waits for scans. AI tools are being introduced to help read images and manage workloads, which is likely to change some tasks rather than remove the need for radiographers. The work involves shift patterns and physical strain, and strict radiation safety rules must always be followed. ## Questions about becoming a radiographer **What is the difference between a radiographer and a radiologist?** A radiographer takes the images, operates the equipment, positions patients and keeps radiation use safe. A radiologist is a medical doctor who has specialised in interpreting images and diagnosing disease, and who may carry out image-guided procedures. The two work closely together. In some countries, experienced radiographers with extra training also report on certain types of images. **How long does it take to become a radiographer?** In most countries it takes three to four years to complete a degree in radiography. In the United States, an associate degree in radiologic technology usually takes about two years, followed by a certification exam. Specialising in areas such as MRI, CT or ultrasound usually needs further training and experience after you qualify. **Is being a radiographer dangerous?** Radiation risk is kept very low by strict safety rules. Radiographers use shielding, stand behind protective screens, keep their distance from radiation sources and wear badges that monitor their exposure. MRI does not use X-rays but has powerful magnets with their own safety rules. Pregnant radiographers usually have extra protection and may change their duties. **Do radiographers do ultrasound?** It depends on the country. In the UK and some other countries, many sonographers are radiographers who have taken postgraduate training in ultrasound. In the United States, Canada and Australia, ultrasound is usually a separate profession called diagnostic medical sonography, with its own courses and certification. Check the local routes if ultrasound is your main interest. ## Related careers - **[Biomedical engineer](https://coursetojob.com/careers/biomedical-engineer/)** — Biomedical engineers use engineering to improve healthcare. Degree required - **[Nurse](https://coursetojob.com/careers/nurse/)** — Registered nurses care for patients, give medicines and treatments, watch for changes in their condition and support them and their families. Degree usually needed · Licensed - **[Doctor](https://coursetojob.com/careers/doctor/)** — Doctors diagnose and treat illness and injury, help prevent disease and guide patients through their care. Degree required · Licensed - **[Biomedical scientist](https://coursetojob.com/careers/biomedical-scientist/)** — Biomedical scientists test samples of blood, tissue and body fluids in laboratories to help doctors diagnose and monitor disease, and they check that blood for transfusion is safe. Degree usually needed ## Sources 1. [US Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/oes/) — SOC 29-2034, national estimates, May 2025 2. [ILOSTAT — Median monthly earnings of employees by occupation](https://ilostat.ilo.org/data/) — ISCO-08 major groups, latest year per country 3. [European Commission — ESCO occupation profile](https://data.europa.eu/esco/occupation/7639a601-6db0-41ed-9fb0-813d9b8beb05) — ESCO code 2269.8 **How to cite this page:** CourseToJob (2026). How to become a radiographer: degrees, skills and salary. https://coursetojob.com/careers/radiographer/ (accessed September 26, 2026) [Report a data or content issue](mailto:hello@elitedigitalagency.io?subject=Data%20issue%3A%20https%3A%2F%2Fcoursetojob.com%2Fcareers%2Fradiographer%2F) ## Key facts - **Occupation group:** Professionals (ISCO-08 2269) - **ESCO:** [radiographer](https://data.europa.eu/esco/occupation/7639a601-6db0-41ed-9fb0-813d9b8beb05) (2269.8) - **US occupation code (SOC):** 29-2034 - **Degree:** Degree usually needed - **Regulation:** Licensed profession in most countries - **US median pay:** $80,110 (2025) - **Official names in this language:** radiographer · radiation therapy technician · practitioner of radiography · specialist radiographer · medical radiation technologist **On this page** 1. What does a radiographer do? 2. What skills do you need? 3. How do you become a radiographer? 4. How much does a radiographer earn? 5. 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