Take x rays and CAT scans or administer nonradioactive materials into patient's blood stream for diagnostic purposes. Includes technologists who specialize in other scanning modalities.
U.S. Workers
223,460
Median Salary
$77,660
10-Year Growth
+4.3%
Annual Openings
12,900
Typical entry: Associate's degree
21 of 23 tasks have some AI capability
Exposure Trend
This score reflects estimated AI technical capability for tasks in this occupation. It does not predict employment changes, and it does not account for company-specific constraints, regulation, or adoption barriers.
Take thorough and accurate patient medical histories.
AI: Fully automatable - AI agents and structured digital intake systems can reliably collect thorough, accurate medical histories and integrate them with EHR data in routine imaging contexts.
Key commands and data into computer to document and specify scan sequences, adjust transmitters and receivers, or photograph certain images.
AI: Fully automatable - Entering commands, configuring scan sequences, and documenting parameters are routine digital tasks that AI can fully automate and optimize through system integration.
Record, process, and maintain patient data or treatment records and prepare reports.
AI: Fully automatable - EHR integration and document-generation AI tools in 2025 can reliably record, process, maintain patient data and generate reports with minimal human oversight.
Monitor video display of area being scanned and adjust density or contrast to improve picture quality.
AI: Fully automatable - Real‑time image‑processing and scanner auto‑optimization algorithms already adjust density/contrast automatically and can be applied to live displays.
Perform administrative duties, such as developing departmental operating budget, coordinating purchases of supplies or equipment, or preparing work schedules.
AI: Fully automatable - AI can create departmental budgets, optimize purchases, and generate work schedules end-to-end, enabling full automation of these administrative duties with appropriate oversight.
Review and evaluate developed x-rays, video tape, or computer-generated information to determine if images are satisfactory for diagnostic purposes.
AI: Partial - AI can automatically assess many image-quality parameters and flag inadequate x‑rays, but human oversight is still needed for ambiguous cases and clinical context.
Operate or oversee operation of radiologic or magnetic imaging equipment to produce images of the body for diagnostic purposes.
AI: Partial - Software can control and automate imaging protocols and some robotic positioning, but physical operation and on‑the‑spot oversight of equipment and patients remains largely human.
Use radiation safety measures and protection devices to comply with government regulations and to ensure safety of patients and staff.
AI: Partial - AI can monitor dose, enforce protocols, and provide alerts and decision support for radiation safety, but hands‑on application of protective devices and regulatory responsibility require humans.
Position imaging equipment and adjust controls to set exposure time and distance, according to specification of examination.
AI: Partial - AI can calculate and set exposure parameters and assist with motorized positioning, but manual adjustment and judgement for many setups remain necessary.
Explain procedures and observe patients to ensure safety and comfort during scan.
AI: Partial - Conversational agents and monitoring systems can explain procedures and watch for obvious distress, but nuanced communication, consent, and patient comfort typically require human staff.
Position and immobilize patient on examining table.
AI: Partial - Robotic aids and guidance systems can assist with positioning and immobilization in controlled scenarios, but most patient handling and fine manual adjustments still need human technologists.
Set up examination rooms, ensuring that all necessary equipment is ready.
AI: Partial - AI can manage checklists, inventory, and scheduling to prepare rooms, but the physical setup and verification of equipment readiness typically require human action.
Monitor patients' conditions and reactions, reporting abnormal signs to physician.
AI: Partial - Automated monitoring can detect and alert on many abnormal patient signs and escalate to clinicians, but interpretation and clinical decisions about subtle reactions still need humans.
Coordinate work with clerical personnel or other technologists.
AI: Partial - AI can handle scheduling, messaging, and coordination tasks but cannot fully replicate the situational judgment and interpersonal nuance of human coordination.
Remove and process film.
AI: Partial - Film processing equipment can be automated and AI can control workflows, but physical handling and legacy exceptions still often require human involvement.
Operate fluoroscope to aid physician to view and guide wire or catheter through blood vessels to area of interest.
AI: Partial - AI can assist with image guidance and navigation but cannot fully replace the real‑time procedural control, manual manipulation and clinical judgment required during fluoroscopic interventions.
Collaborate with other medical team members, such as physicians or nurses, to conduct angiography or special vascular procedures.
AI: Partial - AI can support information exchange and planning for angiography but cannot fully substitute for human clinical collaboration and intra‑procedural decision‑making.
Measure thickness of section to be radiographed, using instruments similar to measuring tapes.
AI: Partial - Computer vision can estimate section thickness from images, but physical measurements and context‑sensitive decisions still often require human verification.
Assign duties to radiologic staff to maintain patient flows and achieve production goals.
AI: Partial - AI can optimize staffing and throughput recommendations, but assigning duties and managing staff to meet goals requires human managerial judgment and accountability.
Perform scheduled maintenance or minor emergency repairs on radiographic equipment.
AI: Partial - AI can diagnose faults, schedule predictive maintenance, and provide remote guidance, but cannot reliably perform hands-on repairs on specialized radiographic hardware.
Demonstrate new equipment, procedures, or techniques to staff and provide technical assistance.
AI: Partial - AI can generate training materials, simulate demonstrations, and provide remote technical assistance, but lacks in-person hands-on coaching and nuanced live troubleshooting for new equipment.
Prepare and administer oral or injected contrast media to patients.
AI: Not automatable - Preparing and administering oral or injected contrast media involves sterile technique, invasive administration and clinical responsibility that AI cannot carry out by 2025.
Provide assistance in dressing or changing seriously ill, injured, or disabled patients.
AI: Not automatable - Assisting with dressing or changing seriously ill or disabled patients requires hands‑on physical caregiving and situational judgement that AI cannot perform alone.