Quick answer: Among the main imaging careers you can enter with about two years of training, radiation therapists ($105,310) and nuclear medicine technologists ($101,370) had the highest median pay in May 2025, followed by sonographers ($96,590), MRI technologists ($95,480) and radiologic technologists ($80,110), according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Sonography has by far the fastest expected job growth. Use the tool below to compare up to three careers side by side, and with your current pay.
How to use the tool
- Tick up to three careers you want to compare.
- Optional: enter your current yearly pay to see the difference.
- Read the cards for job growth, openings, training time and certification.
Imaging careers compared
| Career | Median pay (May 2025) | Job growth 2025–35 | Openings per year | Typical training | Main certification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Radiation therapist | $105,310 | 3% | About 700 | About 2 years, or 1-year certificate after radiography | ARRT R.T.(T) |
| Nuclear medicine technologist | $101,370 | 4% | About 800 | 1–4 years | NMTCB CNMT or ARRT R.T.(N) |
| Diagnostic medical sonographer | $96,590 | 14% | About 6,000 | About 2 years | ARDMS or ARRT (S) |
| MRI technologist | $95,480 | 5%* | About 15,300* | About 2 years, or added after radiography | ARRT R.T.(MR) or ARMRIT |
| Radiologic technologist (X-ray, CT) | $80,110 | 5%* | About 15,300* | About 2 years | ARRT R.T.(R) |
*BLS reports growth and openings for radiologic and MRI technologists together.
About CT: The BLS counts CT technologists within radiologic technologists. Most CT techs are radiographers who added the ARRT CT credential, and they often earn more than general X-ray techs.
What the numbers mean
- Highest pay isn’t the whole story. Radiation therapy and nuclear medicine pay well but are small fields with few openings each year, so jobs can be harder to find in some areas.
- Sonography is growing fastest. About 14% expected growth and around 6,000 openings a year make it one of the strongest imaging fields for job prospects.
- Radiography is the biggest door in. It has the most jobs, and many technologists use it as a base to add CT, MRI, mammography or interventional credentials, which usually raises pay.
- Pay varies a lot by state. A radiologic technologist in California earns far more than the national median; in some Southern states, much less. See our salary by state guide.
How to choose the right imaging career
Ask yourself:
- Do I want lots of patient contact or more technical work? Sonographers and radiographers interact with many patients; radiation therapists see the same patients over weeks of treatment.
- How do I feel about radiation and radioactive materials? Nuclear medicine and radiation therapy work with them daily, with strict safety rules. Sonography and MRI use none.
- Can I handle the physical demands? Sonography involves repetitive scanning that can strain shoulders and wrists. Radiography involves a lot of lifting and moving patients.
- How much do I want to specialize? Starting in radiography gives the most options to add credentials later.
- What jobs exist near me? Check local job postings before you commit to a program.
From the scanner room
[TU EXPERIENCIA: has trabajado en RM y medicina nuclear: cómo es el día a día de cada una, qué perfil de persona encaja mejor en cada rama, y qué no te contaron al elegir.]
FAQ
What is the highest-paying imaging career with a 2-year degree?
In May 2025, radiation therapists had the highest median pay ($105,310), followed by nuclear medicine technologists ($101,370). Both usually require about 2 years of training after high school, or a shorter certificate after radiography.
Do sonographers make more than X-ray techs?
Yes, on average. Sonographers earned a median of $96,590 in May 2025, compared with $80,110 for radiologic technologists.
Which imaging career has the best job outlook?
Diagnostic medical sonography, with about 14% expected growth from 2025 to 2035.
How much more do MRI techs make than X-ray techs?
About $15,000 more per year at the median: $95,480 versus $80,110 in May 2025.
Does the tool include radiologists?
No. Radiologists are physicians who need medical school and residency, which is a very different path. This tool compares technologist and therapist careers.
Pay data are national medians from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and don’t include benefits, bonuses or overtime. Actual pay depends on location, employer, experience and credentials.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook: Radiologic and MRI Technologists (May 2025 pay; 2025–35 projections).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook: Diagnostic Medical Sonographers and Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook: Nuclear Medicine Technologists.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook: Radiation Therapists.
- ARRT, ARDMS, NMTCB and ARMRIT credential information.