Radiologic Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay in Chattanooga, TN: $31.43 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a radiologic technologist and technician working in Chattanooga, TN runs $31.43 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $65,375 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2034). Weighted against Chattanooga's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.5, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $34.36 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,223 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Chattanooga, TN, the projected median hourly rate for radiologic technologists and technicians is $31.43, which falls significantly below the national hourly median of $40.55. This discrepancy in hourly pay may shape the experiences of part-time workers, who typically may work three days a week, allowing them to earn around $24,000 annually without additional benefits. Per-diem positions in various settings, including hospital imaging suites, outpatient clinics, and urgent care facilities, offer entry-level workers a starting hourly wage as low as $25.35, while more experienced professionals can earn up to $42.54 per hour. These official Bureau of Labor Statistics figures reflect the current hiring landscape and the compensation that radiologic technologists can expect when entering the workforce in Chattanooga.
Radiologic Technologist and Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $25.35 | $202.83 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.10 | $240.82 |
| Median (P50) | $31.43 | $251.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39.19 | $313.51 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $42.54 | $340.30 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Chattanooga
Based on $31.43/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.43/hr, a radiologic technologist and technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Chattanooga, TN can expect to earn approximately $65,372 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,715. With a cost-of-living index of 91.46 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Chattanooga.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Chattanooga
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,257.16 | $5,448 | $65,372 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $754.30 | $3,269 | $39,223 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $502.87 | $2,179 | $26,149 |
Compare RT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Radiologic Technologist and Technician (Chattanooga) | $31.43 |
| 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 Chattanooga, TN earn a median of $65,375 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.49% lower than the national median of $84,348 and 5.20% below the Tennessee state average of $68,961.
Radiologic Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.43/hr = $39,223/year (purchasing power: $42,884).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $65,372/year (purchasing power: $71,473).
CoL index: 91.464 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.86/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.85/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.43/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+38.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Radiologic Technologists and Technicians in Chattanooga (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.29% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.86/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.82/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.48/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.66/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.83/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.31/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.85/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.43/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33.09/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for radiologic technologists and technicians in Chattanooga grew 25.1% from $23.86/hr (2019) to $29.85/hr (2025). At a 5.29% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $33.09/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 Chattanooga 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 Chattanooga
Exploring the earning potential for part-time radiologic technologists and technicians reveals a difference in income based on the work schedule. A typical employee working 24 hours a week can expect to take home approximately $36,000 per year, which is significantly lower than full-time counterparts. Per-diem roles, often favored for flexibility, generally see rates ranging from $40 to $60 per hour, with specialized cross-trained techs in CT or MRI commanding higher rates of $50 to $75 per hour. Furthermore, travel contracts for radiologic technologists can yield weekly pay of $1,800 to $2,800, enhancing financial opportunities. Hourly rates vary notably by employer type, with hospital departments offering stability and health benefits often at the expense of higher hourly wages found in outpatient imaging settings or travel agencies. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for negotiating salary within Chattanooga's unique healthcare environment, where many professionals must weigh the benefits of stable employment against the allure of higher hourly rates without additional coverage.
More salary data for Chattanooga, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for radiologic technologists and technicians in Chattanooga in 2026?
How much do part-time radiologic technologists and technicians make in Chattanooga?
Are radiologic technologists and technicians in Chattanooga paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time radiologic technologist and technician make per year in Chattanooga?
Do radiologic technologists and technicians earn more per hour working part-time in Chattanooga?
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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 Chattanooga. 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