Entry-Level Radiologic Technologist and Technician Salary in Grand Rapids, MI: $62,763 (2026)
Quick Answer:New radiologic technologists and technicians entering the Grand Rapids, MI job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $62,763 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2034, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Grand Rapids's local price level (BEA RPP 95.5 — 4% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $65,689 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($81,452) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
New graduates entering the radiologic technologist and technician field in Grand Rapids, MI, can expect a starting salary around $62,763 in 2026. This amount falls notably below the city’s median annual salary of $81,452, suggesting that early-career professionals face a significant gap as they start their journey. However, there is potential for growth, with entry-level salaries expected to increase to approximately $66,438 at the 25th percentile and a pathway towards reaching the median wage within the first few years of experience. The job market currently offers promising opportunities for new graduates, fueled by the anticipated growth rate of 5.29% annually for the profession, suggesting that Grand Rapids is evolving into a competitive environment for those seeking to solidify their careers in radiology.
Career Earnings Timeline in Grand Rapids
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Grand Rapids
Entry-level radiologic technologist and technicians in Grand Rapids, MI typically start between $62,763 and $66,438 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $35,767 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $81,452 — 3.43% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average radiologic technology program cost in Michigan of $24,000 represents just 38.24% of the starting radiologic technologist and technician pay ($62,763/year) in Grand Rapids. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on JRCERT-accredited radiography program data and state workforce commission reports. Tuition-only averages; actual costs vary by institution type (community college vs. private university).
RT Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Grand Rapids
- 1Research the Grand Rapids market: entry-level radiologic technologist and technician pay ranges from $62,763 to $66,438, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the radiologic technology field — employers in MI often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Grand Rapids, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Grand Rapids for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Grand Rapids's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Radiologic Technologist and Technician Compensation Range
The radiologic technologist and technician wage spread in Grand Rapids is $35,767 ( 56.99%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $62,763, experienced hygienists can earn up to $98,530.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$36,700
2025 BLS Actual
$59,610
2026 Current Est.
$62,763
2019–2027 Growth
+80.1%
Salary Trajectory for Radiologic Technologists and Technicians in Grand Rapids (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.29% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36,700 | Actual |
| 2020 | $40,310 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,020 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,260 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,080 | Actual |
| 2024 | $53,940 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,610 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,763 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,084 | Projected |
Entry-level radiologic technologist and technician compensation (10th percentile) in Grand Rapids, MI grew 62.4% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $36,700 in 2019 to $59,610 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $66,084. New graduates entering the Grand Rapids job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Grand Rapids metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.29% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your radiologic technology Career in Grand Rapids
In Grand Rapids, major employers such as hospital systems are the most significant sources of early employment for recent graduates, often providing paid cross-training programs in computed tomography (CT) within the first couple of years. Outpatient imaging centers also actively seek new technologists, but they tend to prefer candidates who have cross-trained into various modalities. To enhance starting pay and career advancement opportunities in Michigan, new hires should consider obtaining credentials from an accredited JRCERT program and seeking ARRT registration in radiography (R), along with any additional state-specific licensing. The typical early career roadmap involves cross-training in CT, MRI, or mammography, as roles focused solely on radiography have seen constrained salary progression. Investing in these modalities can lead to more lucrative positions and a promising trajectory over the first three years in the field.
More salary data for Grand Rapids, MI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jordan Lee, RT(R), RT(TM)
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has over 10 years of experience in radiologic technology. They specialize in mammography and work in an outpatient imaging center.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new radiologic technology graduates. A 5.29% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Grand Rapids. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.29%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for radiologic technologist and technicians (SOC 29-2034).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, RT(R), RT(TM), a licensed radiologic technologist and technician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov