Radiology Tech (X-Ray Tech) Salary: Pay and Take-Home by State
The typical (median) radiology tech in the US earns $38.52 an hour, or $80,110 a year, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates for 230,490 jobs (May 2025, occupation: radiologic technologists). The middle half earn between $64,810 and $98,750 a year, and the top 10% earn more than $118,660.
After federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare, the median salary leaves a single filer about $65,187 a year ($5,432 a month) in a state with no income tax. Using each state's own median pay for this job, take-home is highest in California ($84,825 a year) and lowest in Mississippi ($48,189).
Not quite your job? See MRI tech salary (median $95,480 a year).
Radiology Tech (X-Ray Tech) pay range
| Pay level | Hourly | Yearly | Take-home a year* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bottom 10% earn less than | $26.91 | $55,980 | $47,160 |
| 25th percentile | $31.16 | $64,810 | $54,255 |
| Median (half earn more) | $38.52 | $80,110 | $65,187 |
| 75th percentile | $47.47 | $98,750 | $78,301 |
| Top 10% earn more than | $57.05 | $118,660 | $92,307 |
The average (mean) is $83,840 a year ($40.31 an hour), above the median because a minority of high earners pull it up. *Take-home after federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare for a single filer in a state with no income tax (2026). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, occupation 29-2034. Source
Radiology Tech (X-Ray Tech) salary by state
The highest median pay for radiology techs is in California ($121,260), Massachusetts ($103,630), District of Columbia ($102,770), Oregon ($102,290), Washington ($102,090). The lowest is in Mississippi ($59,300), Alabama ($60,690), Arkansas ($63,650).
The most radiology techs work in California (20,900), Texas (20,250), Florida (16,470).
After each state's taxes, the most take-home at the local median is in California ($84,825), Washington ($79,234), Alaska ($77,926), Massachusetts ($76,692), Hawaii ($73,777). A state with no income tax can come out ahead of a state that pays more before tax.
Median pay in each state for this job (BLS, May 2025), and take-home at that pay. Take-home is after federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and the state's income tax and payroll programs, for a single filer with a 2026 W-4 and no deductions. Local taxes are not included. *District of Columbia: federal taxes only (DC income tax is not modeled yet).
| State | Median hourly | Median yearly | Take-home a year | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $29.18 | $60,690 | $48,405 | 3,500 |
| Alaska | $47.56 | $98,920 | $77,926 | 370 |
| Arizona | $42.89 | $89,210 | $69,805 | 4,670 |
| Arkansas | $30.60 | $63,650 | $51,457 | 2,210 |
| California | $58.30 | $121,260 | $84,825 | 20,900 |
| Colorado | $42.19 | $87,760 | $66,564 | 3,960 |
| Connecticut | $44.22 | $91,980 | $68,569 | 3,230 |
| Delaware | $40.49 | $84,220 | $63,524 | 650 |
| District of Columbia | $49.41 | $102,770 | $81,129* | 660 |
| Florida | $36.90 | $76,750 | $62,824 | 16,470 |
| Georgia | $35.84 | $74,550 | $58,304 | 7,540 |
| Hawaii | $48.89 | $101,690 | $73,777 | 690 |
| Idaho | $38.50 | $80,080 | $61,786 | 1,490 |
| Illinois | $38.43 | $79,930 | $61,249 | 7,650 |
| Indiana | $37.33 | $77,650 | $59,647 | 5,470 |
| Iowa | $31.70 | $65,940 | $53,191 | 2,550 |
| Kansas | $36.57 | $76,070 | $58,900 | 2,270 |
| Kentucky | $33.50 | $69,680 | $55,529 | 3,630 |
| Louisiana | $30.61 | $63,670 | $51,769 | 3,370 |
| Maine | $38.50 | $80,080 | $60,840 | 1,050 |
| Maryland | $41.29 | $85,880 | $62,944 | 3,370 |
| Massachusetts | $49.82 | $103,630 | $76,692 | 5,500 |
| Michigan | $36.74 | $76,420 | $59,594 | 7,220 |
| Minnesota | $40.10 | $83,410 | $62,273 | 4,910 |
| Mississippi | $28.51 | $59,300 | $48,189 | 2,510 |
| Missouri | $35.14 | $73,090 | $57,753 | 5,170 |
| Montana | $37.05 | $77,060 | $60,052 | 850 |
| Nebraska | $35.03 | $72,860 | $57,387 | 1,670 |
| Nevada | $39.86 | $82,910 | $67,157 | 1,840 |
| New Hampshire | $40.82 | $84,910 | $68,564 | 1,240 |
| New Jersey | $45.67 | $94,990 | $70,516 | 6,320 |
| New Mexico | $38.44 | $79,960 | $62,100 | 1,150 |
| New York | $47.34 | $98,470 | $72,843 | 13,450 |
| North Carolina | $35.79 | $74,440 | $58,677 | 9,250 |
| North Dakota | $32.59 | $67,790 | $56,312 | 740 |
| Ohio | $37.65 | $78,310 | $61,961 | 9,570 |
| Oklahoma | $35.65 | $74,150 | $58,212 | 3,640 |
| Oregon | $49.18 | $102,290 | $72,464 | 2,700 |
| Pennsylvania | $36.56 | $76,040 | $59,936 | 8,090 |
| Rhode Island | $41.02 | $85,320 | $64,729 | 660 |
| South Carolina | $33.46 | $69,600 | $54,991 | 3,630 |
| South Dakota | $31.36 | $65,230 | $54,592 | 980 |
| Tennessee | $31.07 | $64,630 | $54,110 | 4,660 |
| Texas | $37.80 | $78,620 | $64,139 | 20,250 |
| Utah | $38.94 | $81,000 | $62,200 | 1,780 |
| Vermont | $45.45 | $94,540 | $71,260 | 470 |
| Virginia | $38.78 | $80,660 | $61,751 | 5,140 |
| Washington | $49.08 | $102,090 | $79,234 | 4,130 |
| West Virginia | $35.65 | $74,150 | $58,488 | 1,810 |
| Wisconsin | $38.05 | $79,140 | $60,639 | 5,010 |
| Wyoming | $37.43 | $77,850 | $63,597 | 430 |
Overtime and pay rules for radiology techs
Radiology techs who are paid by the hour are owed overtime at 1.5 times their regular rate for hours over 40 in a workweek under federal law, and some states also require daily overtime. Hospitals and residential care facilities may instead use the "8 and 80" system: overtime after 8 hours in a day or 80 hours in a fixed 14-day period, agreed with the employee in advance. Source The new no-tax-on-overtime deduction covers the extra half of time-and-a-half pay, up to $12,500 a year for a single filer. Only overtime that the federal Fair Labor Standards Act requires counts; overtime paid only under a contract, a state law or an employer policy does not. Source Estimate your deduction.
How the exemptions work across jobs: who gets overtime pay.
Taxes on a radiology tech's pay
On the median $80,110, federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare take about 18.6% of pay for a single filer: $8,794 of income tax and $6,128 of Social Security and Medicare a year.
Tax bracket. After the $16,100 standard deduction, taxable income is $64,010, so the top federal rate is 22%. Each extra dollar from a raise or extra shifts is taxed at about 29.65% before state tax: 22% income tax plus 7.65% Social Security and Medicare. Source
401(k). Putting 5% ($4,006 a year) into a traditional 401(k) lowers federal income tax by about $881, so it costs about $3,124 of take-home pay.
Self-employed or contract work
BLS pay figures cover employees only; self-employed radiology techs are not counted. If you work as a contractor (1099), you pay both halves of Social Security and Medicare (15.3% self-employment tax) and usually make quarterly estimated payments. Use the 1099 Tax Calculator to see what to set aside, and see 1099 vs W-2 take-home pay for how much more a contractor needs to earn.
Jobs with similar pay
| Job | Median yearly | Median hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Accountant | $83,680 | $40.23 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $82,280 | $39.56 |
| Police Officer | $76,210 | $36.64 |
| HR Specialist | $75,940 | $36.51 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $72,060 | $34.65 |
For a full breakdown of a similar wage, see $38 an hour is how much a year.
Radiology Tech (X-Ray Tech) salary questions
How much does a radiology tech make?
The median pay is $38.52 an hour, or $80,110 a year (May 2025, Bureau of Labor Statistics). The bottom 10% earn less than $55,980 and the top 10% more than $118,660.
How much does a radiology tech make after taxes?
About $65,187 a year, or $2,507 every two weeks, on the median salary for a single filer in a state with no income tax. In Mississippi, at that state's own median pay, it is about $48,189.
How much does a radiology tech make a month?
About $6,676 a month before taxes at the median salary, and roughly $5,432 after federal taxes in a state with no income tax.
Which state pays radiology techs the most?
California, with a median of $121,260 a year ($58.30 an hour). Next are Massachusetts ($103,630) and District of Columbia ($102,770). After state taxes, take-home at the local median is highest in California.
How much does a radiology tech make an hour?
The median is $38.52 an hour. The middle half earn $31.16 to $47.47, and the top 10% more than $57.05.
Do radiology techs get paid overtime?
Radiology techs who are paid by the hour are owed overtime at 1.5 times their regular rate for hours over 40 in a workweek under federal law, and some states also require daily overtime. Hospitals and residential care facilities may instead use the "8 and 80" system: overtime after 8 hours in a day or 80 hours in a fixed 14-day period, agreed with the employee in advance. The new no-tax-on-overtime deduction covers the extra half of time-and-a-half pay, up to $12,500 a year for a single filer. Only overtime that the federal Fair Labor Standards Act requires counts; overtime paid only under a contract, a state law or an employer policy does not.
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All jobs · Hourly to salary chart. BLS data published 2026, reference period May 2025; tax figures checked Oct 26, 2026.