Radiologic Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay in Birmingham, AL: $31.78 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a radiologic technologist and technician working in Birmingham, AL runs $31.78 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $66,091 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2034). Weighted against Birmingham's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.6, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $34.67 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,657 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Radiologic technologists and technicians in Birmingham, Alabama, earn a median hourly rate of $31.78, notably lower than the national median of $40.55. This discrepancy suggests a unique context for part-time and per-diem workers in local healthcare settings, such as hospital imaging suites, outpatient imaging centers, and urgent care facilities. Part-time professionals working three days a week may find essential work-life balance while still benefitting from an hourly pay structure that allows for flexibility. However, entry-level workers can expect earnings as low as $21.01 per hour, while more experienced technologists may command as much as $41.78 per hour, reflecting significant variability based on experience and specific employment situations. These figures are drawn from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics data projected for 2026, painting a clear picture for those considering or already pursuing careers in radiologic technology in Birmingham.
Radiologic Technologist and Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.01 | $168.04 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.10 | $216.81 |
| Median (P50) | $31.78 | $254.21 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $38.29 | $306.35 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.78 | $334.23 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Birmingham
Based on $31.78/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.78/hr, a radiologic technologist and technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Birmingham, AL can expect to earn approximately $66,095 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $38,132. With a cost-of-living index of 91.64 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Birmingham.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Birmingham
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,271.06 | $5,508 | $66,095 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $762.64 | $3,305 | $39,657 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $508.42 | $2,203 | $26,438 |
Compare RT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Radiologic Technologist and Technician (Birmingham) | $31.78 |
| MRI Technologist (National Avg) | $40.93 |
| Nuclear Medicine Technologist (National Avg) | $46.68 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (National Avg) | $42.41 |
| Respiratory Therapist (National Avg) | $37.72 |
Radiologic Technologist and Technicians in Birmingham, AL earn a median of $66,091 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.64% lower than the national median of $84,348 and 3.30% above the Alabama state average of $63,979.
Radiologic Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.78/hr = $39,657/year (purchasing power: $43,273).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $66,095/year (purchasing power: $72,122).
CoL index: 91.644 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.93/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.18/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.78/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+45.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Radiologic Technologists and Technicians in Birmingham (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.29% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.93/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.42/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.56/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.00/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.20/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.96/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.18/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.78/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33.46/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for radiologic technologists and technicians in Birmingham grew 31.6% from $22.93/hr (2019) to $30.18/hr (2025). At a 5.29% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $33.46/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem radiologic technologists and technicians can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Birmingham 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.
Working as an Hourly Radiologic Technologist and Technician in Birmingham
Per diem options for radiologic technologists and technicians can yield significantly higher compensation, often ranging from $40 to $60 per hour, depending on skills and demand. For cross-trained professionals in CT or MRI, hourly pay can escalate to between $50 and $75, while travel contracts often provide lucrative opportunities, with weekly earnings reaching $1,800 to $2,800. It’s crucial to understand how these varying pay structures can come from different employer types within Birmingham, which include hospital imaging departments and outpatient facilities, reflecting the shifting landscape after consolidation in the industry. Some professionals might opt for lower hourly pay in exchange for health benefits, weighing factors like job security and stability against potentially higher pay without benefits in agency or locum positions. Those negotiating hourly pay should emphasize specific skills, modality cross-training, and be prepared to make a case for their worth in an evolving job market, especially given the projected annual growth rate of 5.29%.
More salary data for Birmingham, AL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for radiologic technologists and technicians in Birmingham in 2026?
How much do part-time radiologic technologists and technicians make in Birmingham?
Are radiologic technologists and technicians in Birmingham paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time radiologic technologist and technician make per year in Birmingham?
Do radiologic technologists and technicians earn more per hour working part-time in Birmingham?
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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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 5.29% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for radiologic technologists and technicians in Birmingham. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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